Camden Primary Care Trust NHS

We think it’s out but it’s not. The bin starts smoldering… We’re nodding off in our armchair, just one last fag before bed…

There are so many ways we could accidentally start a fire with our smoking. In fact, discarded cigarettes and matches cause more domestic fires than anything else. 

But it’s not only domestic fires – smoking related material can also lead to much larger fires, such as the 1987 Kings Cross fire in Camden which was started by a match lighting grease and rubbish. This fire killed 31 people. Nationally, the Bradford City Football Club fire in 1985, when 40 people died, was caused by a dropped cigarette end.1

More people die in smoking material-related fires than any other. Nearly a third of all households in England include a smoker and these households are nearly 35% more likely to have a fire than non-smoking homes.

In the UK between 2000 and 2005 there were, on average, 132 deaths per year in accidental home fires caused by smoking materials.2 

So what can we do to prevent fires?

If you are not ready to stop smoking yet the next few ideas will help reduce the chance of a fire.

• Unattended lit cigarettes, cigars or pipes can easily overbalance as they burn down and land on a carpet or newspaper
• When you put it out, make sure it is really out
• Use a proper ashtray which can’t be knocked over
• Never smoke in bed
• If you are tired or have been drinking take extra care when you are smoking
• Keep matches and lighters away from children
• If you don’t have a smoke alarm, get one (the local fire prevention service can fit one for free)
• If you do have a smoke alarm, make sure you have a working smoke alarm on each floor level in your home
• If you can, it is always better to smoke outside. This protects you and your family/friends
• Sign up to have a smokefree home, you can find the application form in the Ads & Downloads section

1. 1. Cigarette Litter Fact File ENCAMS. 2005
2. 2. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_065586