Kingston fire brigade has launched a campaign to tackle house fires, after new figures showed more fatal house fires occurred in the winter months than at any other time.
The statistics also revealed more than half of people who died did not have working fire alarms, half of the dead were over 60 and a third of fatal fires were caused by smoking materials.
John Elwell, Kingston brigade’s borough commander, said: “These statistics are shocking but tragedy can be avoided if you follow some simple safety advice. Electrical heaters and the three Cs – cigarettes, candles and cookers – all pose a serious fire risk if not used carefully.
“Cigarettes that have been carelessly disposed of cause the deaths of several Londoners each year. I can’t stress enough how important it is to put your cigarette out properly.”
He also urged people to have a working smoke alarm on every level of their houses and test them regularly, and call on elderly friends, neighbours and relatives to make sure they have an alarm.
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