Socioeconomic deprivation and fatal unintentional domestic fire incidents in New Zealand 1993–1998

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was undertaken in Aotearoa New Zealand to investigate the relationship between socioeconomic deprivation and risk of an unintentional fatal domestic fire incident. Addresses of unintentional fatal domestic fire incidents were geocoded to small area (census meshblock) level and analysed with the New Zealand index of socioeconomic deprivation. Fatal unintentional domestic fire incidents occurred disproportionately in dwellings in the most socioeconomically deprived meshblocks. Annual rates of fatal unintentional fire incidents per 100,000 households in the most deprived decile were significantly higher than rates in the least deprived decile (RR 5.6, 95%CI 1.9–16). Strategies to prevent fire related deaths must overcome barriers to household fire safety in population groups experiencing increased risk, including the socioeconomically deprived, seniors, and ethnic minorities. Specific intervention strategies relevant to risks associated with socioeconomic deprivation include improving quality and affordability of housing; increasing prevalence of installed and functioning smoke detectors; and regulation of specific characteristics of cigarettes to reduce risk of ignition from abandoned heat sources. Substantial progress awaits reduction of the underlying socioeconomic determinants of disadvantage.