The Home Office has released updated figures for primary fires, fatalities, and casualties in care homes in England
Analysed by source of ignition and victim age and gender, the data indicates an overall decline in the number of primary fires in care homes attended by fire and rescue services (FRSs), with the total number of primary fires in 2023/24 being 485 compared to 498 in 2022/23.
The data also shows a decrease in the number of non-fatal casualties in primary fires in care homes attended by FRSs down from 69 in the previous year to 57 in 2023/24. Notably, cooking appliances are cited as the most frequent sources of ignition for such fires (22 in 2023/24).
You can access the official government statistics here.
While the latest statistics suggest that the number of primary fires is decreasing in care homes, cases of such fires impact the most vulnerable of a community. As part of its recently released Policy Manifesto, the FPA has been calling on the government to better protect schools and care homes with improved fire safety measures. This includes the requirement to install sprinkler systems in all new and majorly refurbished schools and care homes, with the aim of protecting the most vulnerable in society and preserving the social value of educational and care facilities.
As Principal Consultant for the FPA, Dale Kinnersley explains: “These latest figures from the Home Office show a welcome downward trend in the number of primary fires at care home sites, however we at the FPA feel there is still more that can be done to improve the fire safety of these buildings.
“Care home residents are often vulnerable and the impact of a fire on their health and well-being can be severe, even when a successful building evacuation takes place. As we highlight in our recent fire safety manifesto, it is currently within the government’s powers to mandate the installation of sprinkler systems in all new care homes as well as those undergoing refurbishment.
“Sprinklers play a major role in providing both life safety for occupants and property protection for the building so that residents can rest assured that the place they call home is safe from destruction by fire. This is why the FPA continue to push government to implement change and adopt sprinklers as a minimum for all care homes.”
You can find out more about the FPA’s Policy Manifesto here.