Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the key risk factors that are associated with fires in domestic properties; and how that information can be used for fire prevention.

The Home Office has published a report on trends affecting fires and fire-related fatalities: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/650869/focus-trends-fires-fatalities-oct17.pdf which suggested that some of the main factors which may be associated with fires are cooking habits, smoke alarm ownership, smoking, drug and alcohol use, arson, age and overcrowding. It also identified safety standards (furniture and furnishings), building regulations, preventative work and education as measures that have helped to mitigate fire risk. In addition the Home Office publishes statistical tables on the cause of fires here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fire-statistics-data-tables#cause-of-fire.

Analysis of fire statistics and research informs the development of the national fire safety campaign, run by the Home Office in partnership with the National Fire Chiefs Council and local fire and rescue services. Understanding fire risk and those most vulnerable to fire allows the campaign to be tailored and targeted accordingly.

Fire prevention is core business for every fire and rescue authority. Each uses local intelligence and experience to determine what interventions will best prevent and reduce the risks from fire in their communities. Each authority must evaluate local risks and determine its priorities, policies and standards for fire prevention, protection and operational services and allocate its resources accordingly.