In light of the latest government fire and rescue incident statistics1 for the year ending September 2023, we recognise some key trends and implications evident in the data that need to be addressed to ensure fire incidents become less likely and less dangerous in the future.
The overall decrease of 4.8% in incidents attended by fire and rescue services (FRSs) is encouraging, particularly the 23% reduction in fires compared to the previous year. Notably, the decline in secondary fires by 32% and outdoor primary fires by 39% indicates a positive impact on incident numbers, attributed to the previous year’s extremely hot and dry summer in 2022. But last year’s data poses a warning. These numbers highlight the necessity for individuals and businesses to enhance their fire-safety preparedness.
However, amidst these improvements, the surge in false alarms demands attention. FRSs attended 246,529 false alarms in the year ending September 2023, marking the highest figure since 2011, a concerning 3.1% increase compared to the previous year. The escalation over five and ten years further stresses the importance of addressing this issue. Of particular significance is the spike in false alarms due to faulty apparatus, reaching 174,362 in the past year – a 6.8% increase from the previous year and a 14% increase over both five and ten years.
For us, these worrying statistics emphasise the critical need for reliable fire-safety equipment, which is a legal requirement for all building owners and employers.2 The rise in false alarms due to apparatus underlines the importance of stocking and employing dependable, high-quality fire-alarm systems and fire-safety equipment to minimise both false alarms and real fire incidents.
Implementing comprehensive fire-safety measures is vital, including the use of advanced technology in fire-detection systems, investing in reliable fire-safety equipment, and ensuring that routine inspections and maintenance are carried out. Fostering community awareness and education are also crucial steps. By harnessing the insights from the data, we can work collectively towards creating safer environments, ultimately reducing the frequency and severity of fire incidents for the wellbeing of communities and the preservation of property.
References
1. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fire-and-rescue-incident-statistics-year-ending-september-2023/fire-and-rescue-incident-statistics-england-year-ending-september-2023#ffalarms
2. https://www.checkfire.co.uk/fire-safety-news/back-to-basics-fire-safety-essentials/
About the Author
Toria Jones
With over 10 years of experience in the marketing industry, Toria Jones is head of marketing at national trade-only fire safety supplier, CheckFire Ltd. Starting her career as a marketing executive at a fitness studio, Toria worked her way up to UK brand manager at the international children’s toy manufacturer Little Tikes in 2016, before joining CheckFire in her current position. Toria boasts a wealth of expertise in her field and is responsible for developing, supporting and activating key marketing initiatives that are focused on driving consumer demand for CheckFire and its portfolio of brands. Connect with Toria onLinkedIn.
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