• Over 53,000 ‘accidental’ domestic fires recorded each year

• A quarter of accidental house fires take place between the hours of 5pm and 8pm
• 12 per cent of households in England do not have a working smoke alarm installed
• Cookers and stoves responsible for one in five accidental domestic fires
• Concern raised over consumers taking the batteries out of their smoke alarms
   

Direct Line Home Insurance is advising homeowners to check smoke alarms as official figures highlight the risks millions of English homeowners are taking by not having working smoke alarms in their properties.

The analysis reveals that across all households in England, one in eight (12 per cent) properties does not contain a working smoke alarm, amounting to approximately 2.7 million households. Furthermore, over a fifth (22 per cent) of households, just under five million homes, have never tested their smoke alarm1.

When looking at the causes of accidental domestic fires, cooking appliances accounted for nearly a third (31 per cent) of all incidents across England, with 16,549 out of a total of 53,725 fires. Of this number, more than half (9,965) of incidents involved cookers, meaning they are responsible for a fifth (19 per cent) of all domestic fires2.  Other cooking appliances responsible for domestic blazes include microwaves and barbeques, while grills and toasters alone are responsible for 12 per cent of fires.

The importance of smoke alarms is underlined by the fact that in half (50 per cent) of all fires in 2014/15 there was either a smoke alarm present that was not operational (20 per cent) or no smoke alarm at all (30 per cent)3.

The analysis also reveals that a quarter (25 per cent) of accidental dwelling fires take place between the hours of 5pm and 8pm4, with almost a third (31 per cent) taking place over the weekend5.

However, while one in ten (10 per cent) fires take place overnight6, Direct Line is urging homeowners to ensure they have a  working smoke alarm to reduce the risk of a fire outbreak.

Rebecca Clapham, head of household products at Direct Line, commented: “This research shows that fires can happen at any time. More than 90 per cent of domestic fires are accidental7, so having a fully functional smoke alarm is a small measure that can make a huge difference in the event of a fire.

“However, with one in eight households across England not even owning a smoke alarm, it is worrying to see the number of homeowners who are not taking the most basic fire prevention measures in their properties. It can be tempting to remove the batteries from a smoke alarm if it goes off accidentally, but we would strongly advise everyone to check that they have a fully functioning fire alarm installed, as well as comprehensive home insurance, to ensure the safety of their properties and families.”
 

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Notes to Editors

1   English Housing Survey 2014-15, published by the Department for Communities and Local Government on 18 February 2016.

2  Direct Line analysis of Gov.uk fire statistics on causes of fire and source of ignition of accidental fires (FIRE0605).

3   Direct Line analysis of Gov.uk fire statistics on fires in dwellings by presence or operation of smoke alarms (FIRE0702).

4   Direct Line analysis of Gov.uk fire statistics on the percentage of fire incidents by hour of the day in England (FIRE0801).

5  Analysis of fires by day and month of the year, 2012/13 to 2015/16, provided by Home Office Science’s Fire Statistics department.

6  Direct Line analysis of Gov.uk fire statistics on the percentage of fire incidents by hour of the day in England (FIRE0801). Overnight period defined as between 00:00 and 06:00.

7  Direct Line analysis of Gov.uk fire statistics on fires in dwellings and other buildings by cause of fire, England (FIRE0601).

 

All Gov.uk data covers the more recently available timeframes updated on 19 January 2017.

 

For further information please contact:

Claire Foster

Deputy head of news 

Direct Line Group

Tel: 01651 831 672

Email: [email protected]

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
 

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com