AQW 3481/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health for his assessment of the number of domestic electrical fires in rural areas.
Asked by John Blair MLA on 10 March 2020
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 10 March 2020
- Answer due by
- 26 March 2020
- Answered
- 26 March 202016 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The table below details the number of primary (major) fires in domestic premises in rural areas* started by electrical appliances over the last three financial years:
| 2016/17 | 2017/18 | 2018/19 |
| 98 | 114 | 108 |
*Rural areas defined as settlements with a population of <5,000 and all areas outside settlement boundaries
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) provide a range of information and advice to the community on fire safety including advice on how to prevent electrical fires in the home. NIFRS provide free Home Fire Safety Checks to members of the community who are deemed at risk. NIFRS completed 13,116 of these visits between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2019.