The Alcohol Policy UK blog addresses the relationship between alcohol and fire injuries/deaths in the UK, with about a third of fatal accidental residential fires in London involving alcohol.
A similar relationship exists in the US, with the United States Fire Administration estimating that alcohol ingestion is connected to over 40% of residential fire deaths (USFA, 1999).
The post noted above lists tips regarding fire safety and alcohol use offered by the London Fire Brigade. While the recommendations are all valid, they don’t adequately address the larger issue: alcohol impairment itself is a risk factor for initiation of, detection of, and escape from fires. In addition, “burns are more physiologically damaging in the presence of alcohol” (USFA, 1999, p. 1).
Sadly, even children and the elderly may be the victims, as intoxicated caretakers are unable to negotiate the task of bringing their charges to safety.
Reference:
United States Fire Administration (1999). Establishing a relationship between alcohol and casualties of fire [report]. Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Fire Data Center. Retrieved on October 3, 2009 from http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/alcohol.pdf. [free full text]
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