Fire risks.

Most fires are caused by dropped cigarettes or matches. They set fire to upholstery in furniture and also bedding materials. To meet UK laws, these need to be fire resistant.

Fires in the kitchen are often caused when oils ignite.

Foams and fabrics used in furniture are treated with flame retardants.

Statistics for the year 200 show that there were 71,800 fires in houses in the UK. These caused 397 deaths and 12,100 casualties. The majority of these deaths were caused by the smoke and toxic gas generated in the fire.

There are about 59.5 million people in the UK. What is the probability of being killed in a house fire?

Over 60% of deaths in house fires are elderly pensioners.

Does this make household fires a low or high risk?

Look back to the section on proabability and see how it influences risk.

Plastics in electrical equipment contain flame retardants.