Fire Related Campaign July 2007

Reducing fire deaths and injuries together with raising awareness to Arson, feature high on the list of Southend and Rochford community commands strategies

Bearing this in mind, SEECSi in conjunction with Southend and Rochford Community command are issuing advice to help all smokers ensure that they can remain fire safe as they smoke at home together with raising awareness of the potential fatal dangers from deliberate fire setting.

Over the month of July buses will feature posters of ‘put it out right out’ which depicts a young child looking over the graves of her parents who perished in a smoking related fire and ‘Arson is not a victimless crime’  which creates a powerful narrative as to the effects of deliberate fire setting.

Martin Powell Chair of SEECSi and a fire officer, said: “Households with a smoker living in them are nearly 40% more likely to suffer a fire than those which have no smoker living in them..

He further went on to say “we are not condemning smokers, but ensuring they and their families remain safe. However, with our partners we also want to raise awareness to the health consequences of smoking - especially amongst the young.” 

On Arson and its consequences Martin said “Deliberate fires are the largest single cause of major fires in the UK. Arson is a problem that leads to loss of life, serious injuries and results in substantial financial and personal hardship”.  Southend and Rochford community command has taken active steps to be a significant player to improve community well-being by joining with partners to reduce arson.

He further went on to say “It is a sad fact that fire discriminates. Research has shown that those most likely to be at risk from deliberate fires are in the lower socio-economic groups” Arson rates are 30 times higher in poorer areas with a 15 times increased chance of death compared to ‘affluent’ areas.

Martin said, The cost of arson can be divided into a number of area the main ones being; 

The cost to people.
Arson fires can often devastate whole families to an extent not matched by other crimes. Fire at worst causes death but fire can also cause victims of burns injuries and those who suffer a loss with a lifetime of pain, leaving permanent physical, emotional and psychological scarring.

The cost to the community
The sight of arson damaged properties and burned out cars can take their toll upon an area. They give the impression that society as a whole has given up on their community; they make people feel unsafe, destroy the feeling of community well-being and perpetuates the fear of crime.

For Further information click here>> Fire Kills Website