Unintentional house fire deaths in New Zealand 1991-1998

A review of routinely collected health and fire service data was undertaken to describe individuals who died in house fires in New Zealand in the years 1991-1996 and the characteristics of fatal incidents from 1991 to 1998. Age-specific mortality rates were highest for adults =65 years and children <5 years. Age-standardised rates showed a threefold increased mortality for Maori compared with non-Maori, and an increased risk for males compared with females. Fatal incidents occurred most commonly in winter, and in the early hours of weekend mornings. Findings in New Zealand are consistent with overseas studies and demonstrate the importance of designing effective preventive strategies that reach population groups with the greatest risk. Published studies support the roles of public health workers in advocacy for mandatory smoke detectors and adequate housing standards, injury prevention counselling, smoking cessation and alcohol programmes, and community-based fire safety initiatives.