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Journal of Public Health Advance Access originally published online on December 11, 2008
Journal of Public Health 2009 31(1):154-161; doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdn103
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© The Author 2008, Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Faculty of Public Health. All rights reserved

Fatal and non-fatal fire injuries in England 1995–2004: time trends and inequalities by age, sex and area deprivation



C. Mulvaney, Research Fellow1

D. Kendrick, Professor of Primary Care Research1

E. Towner, Professor of Child Health2

M. Brussoni, Assistant Professor3

M. Hayes, Projects Director4

J. Powell, Reader Health Economics5

S. Robertson, Senior Research Fellow6

H. Ward, Honorary Senior Research Fellow6
1 Division of Primary Care, University of Nottingham, 13th Floor, Tower Building, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
2 UK Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, University of the West of England, Bristol BS6 6JS, UK
3 Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada V6H 3V4
4 Child Accident Prevention Trust, London EC1R 3AJ, UK
5 School of Health and Social Care, University of the West of England, Bristol BS16 1DD, UK
6 Centre for Transport Studies, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK

Address correspondence to Caroline Mulvaney, E-mail: Caroline.Mulvaney{at}nottingham.ac.uk


  Abstract

Aim To examine time trends and deprivation gradients in fire-related deaths and injuries.

Methods A cross-sectional study and time trend analysis using data on fire casualties in England between 1995 and 2004 obtained from the Department for Communities and Local Government. Injury rates were calculated assuming a Poisson distribution. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated to compare changes in deprivation gradients over time.

Results There were significant reductions in fatal and non-fatal fire injuries in children (fatal injuries IRR {chi}21 = 11.18, P < 0.001; non-fatal injuries IRR {chi}22 = 61.44, P < 0.001), adults (fatal injuries IRR {chi}21 = 15.99, P < 0.001; non-fatal injuries IRR {chi}22 = 183.25, P < 0.001) and older people (fatal injuries IRR {chi}21 = 56.88, P < 0.001; non-fatal injuries IRR {chi}22 = 54.09, P < 0.001) between 1995 and 2004. Adult and child fire deaths were most commonly caused by smokers' materials (e.g. cigarettes, cigars and tobacco), and cigarette lighters and matches, respectively. Cooking appliances caused most non-fatal fire injuries. Injury rates increased with increasing levels of deprivation and deprivation gradients did not change over 10 years.

Conclusions Fire prevention interventions should promote the safe use of cooking and heating appliances and the responsible use of smokers' materials, lighters and matches, and should target those at greater risk of fire, including the socially disadvantaged.

Keywords: deprivation, fires, time trends, wounds and injuries


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