Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 01/03/2004 00:01

Did you know that more people die in smoking material related fires than any other? In Cornwall County Fire Brigade in 2002, six people were injured in house fires as a result of cigarette fires. Nationally, fires started by smoking materials account for one third of all accidental deaths, while only causing 8% of all fires.

March 2004 sees the launch of a Government campaign to warn people of the dangers of smoking materials. ¡¥Put it Out. Right Out¡¦ will show how easily fires can start from just one cigarette and how quickly they can spread with tragic results.

Davinia Grist, Public Relations Officer said:¡§Cigarette fires are the biggest killer as they often happen at night after people have gone to bed. Also people are more relaxed in the evening and may have had a few drinks or be tired so are therefore less vigilant when extinguishing their cigarettes. A cigarette burns at 700 „aC, so make sure when you put it out it really is out. That final check could save your and your family¡¦s lives.¡¨

Fires caused by cigarettes can be prevented by taking a few simple precautions:

Never smoke in bed
Never leave lit cigarettes lying around
Always use a proper ashtray and make sure it can¡¦t be knocked over
Take special care when you are tired or when you¡¦ve been drinking
Keep matches and lighters away from children
Make sure you have a working smoke alarm

The national Careless Smoking campaign, ¡¥Put it Out. Right Out¡¦, will be launched on 1st March 2004 and will feature TV, radio, point of purchase and online advertising and is being supported by Ei Electronics, Energizer, esure Help the Aged, Homebase, Lloyds Pharmacy and Woolworths.