BCIRPU researchers have published a new review identifying risk factors and effective fire prevention strategies among vulnerable populations. The rapid review found key risk factors for residential fires were: vulnerable populations, behavioural issues such as smoking and alcohol use, and lack of fire safety technologies such as fire alarms.

Effective interventions such as the presence of smoke alarms and sprinklers, and community-based fire safety programs can lead to significantly fewer fire-related injuries and deaths.

The study also identified a gap in the literature—specifically, that there is a gap in evidence specific to Indigenous communities. The study team noted that the available evidence could potentially be applicable to Indigenous populations.

This report was funded by Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), in order to strengthen Community Fire Risk Safety in Canada, in partnership with Statistics Canada and the BCIRPU. The project team at the BCIRPU extend their appreciation to DRDC and the team at Statistics Canada who provided additional context and insight and supported this project: Yann Pelcat, Alexandra Bozheva, Kimberley Boyuk, Len Garis, and Lindsay Frei.

Read the report in English (PDF)

Lire le rapport en français (PDF)