Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) is urging smokers to kick the habit once and for all as new data reveals that lit and improperly discarded cigarettes were a leading cause of house fire fatalities last financial year.
Acting Commissioner at FRV, Gavin Freeman said the data revealed that in 2020-21, 17 people died in preventable house fires and, in seven of the cases, smoking was a possible contributing factor.
“In total, firefighters across the State responded to more than 200 house fires sparked by smoking materials,” Acting Commissioner Freeman said.
“Time and again, Victorian firefighters find themselves at house fires sparked by smoking materials, which are much more likely to turn deadly,” he said.
“I urge all smokers, their friends and families to take some basic fire safety precautions to prevent more tragic deaths from occurring.”
Acting Commissioner Freeman said several of the fatalities were the result of people falling asleep with lit cigarettes and urged smokers to “make some changes now before it is too late”.
He said people who smoked inside their homes should install smoke alarms in every room and keep lighters and matches away from children.
Chief Officer of the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Jason Heffernan said smoking in bed, or smoking while affected by alcohol, medication or other drugs, dramatically increased a person’s risk of dying in a house fire.
“Beds, couches and other soft furnishings are highly flammable, so if you fall asleep with a lit cigarette on these surfaces you could have just seconds to escape,” Chief Officer Heffernan said.
“Quitting smoking is the safest option from both a health and fire safety perspective, but if that isn’t possible then firefighters recommend smoking outdoors,” he said.
“Make sure you butt out your cigarettes and ensure they are fully extinguished before putting them in the bin, as rubbish and plants can and do ignite due to improperly discarded cigarettes.”
Chief Officer Heffernan also urged smokers to take the time to properly extinguish their cigarettes while outdoors as smoking materials frequently caused bush and grassfires.
