| Alcohol has been identified as a contributory factor in the majority of Tayside blaze deaths, with many caused by drunken people falling asleep with a cigarette in hand or while the cooker is still on.
A large-scale Alcohol — Fuel For Fire awareness campaign is now being launched, including the distribution of 20,000 beer mats to licensed premises.
Chief Fire Officer Stephen Hunter said society needed to be more aware of the role alcohol plays in serious fires.
“I think the public are generally aware of the link between alcohol and health and alcohol and anti-social behaviour and crime,” continued Mr Hunter.
“But there isn’t the same recognition of the link between alcohol and fires, and that is why we are launching this significant campaign.
“We don’t want to stop people enjoying themselves.
“But people should be aware the majority of fire deaths in Tayside involve alcohol as a contributory factor.
“Members of the communities we serve must become more aware that, when under the influence of alcohol, they are more likely to be careless when smoking or cooking.
“Many of the deaths are caused by people falling asleep with a cigarette still in their hand or after turning on the cooker.
“When asleep under the influence of alcohol they are less likely to be awakened by the activation of the smoke alarm and are therefore at greater risk of being overcome by the smoke produced by the fire.”
The Chief Fire Officer said the long-term campaign would involve a number of initiatives and embrace everyone from young people to the elderly.
New fire engines and vans carry the Alcohol — Fuel for Fire message, while the slogan beer mats are being sent to pubs across the region.
Mr Hunter continued, “The most effective way of reducing the devastating consequences of fire is by working closely with all of our communities to prevent fires from happening in the first place.
“I am well aware Tayside Fire and Rescue alone cannot stop people abusing alcohol, something that many professional agencies have been trying to do.
“We are also working in conjunction with our partners in Tayside Police, the health service, the Drug and Alcohol Action teams across Tayside and Tayside Council on Alcohol to collectively raise awareness of all of the negative societal aspects of alcohol use and misuse across Tayside.
“A conference involving all of these agencies will take place in Perth Concert Hall on December 1.
“As well as raising awareness of all of the negative aspects of alcohol within our communities, this conference will identify how all of the agencies will work together to tackle this issue.” |
