ABSTRACT
There were over 61,000 domestic fires reported to fire brigades in the UK in 1992. However, the British Crime Survey of 1988 indicates that approximately 9 out of 10 fires in the home go unreported. This suggests that many fires are being dealt with successfully by the householder, despite the fact that advice from the fire brigades and the Home Office is to leave the house and call the fire brigade.
The Fire Research and Development Group of the Home Office commissioned a study to assess the level and extent of first aid firefighting in the home, with the aim of providing information to review the current advice.
The study involved a detailed questionnaire completed by 1,000 members of the general public, another more specific questionnaire for 450 people who had experienced a fire in the home in the last 5 years, together with some practical tests of methods of tackling typical household fires.
This paper provides details of the findings of the study.
