Fire safety for an ageing population

Learn about the insights from the latest research and the positive experiences of linking smoke alarms with social alarms.

Home fires are more common and more dangerous than many people think. Every year, around 100 people die in fires in Sweden, most of them in connection with fires in the home and an absolute majority of these are elderly.

How can we strengthen fire protection in a cost-effective way for an ageing population? Careium presents its insights from the latest research but also the positive experience of linking smoke alarms with social alarms. With small means we can save many lives!

Gloomy statistics

For the period January to September 2020, the highest number of fire-related deaths in Sweden since 2005 was recorded. A total of 83 people died in fires, compared to 2019 when a total of 81 died throughout the year. According to Mattias Delin, fire engineer at the Swedish Fire Protection Association, the Corona pandemic is a possible explanation for the sharp increase. Increased isolation at home is a contributing risk factor.

Measures to reduce risks

According to MSB, there is a risk that the number of deaths in residential fires will increase by more than a third by 2050. According to the authority, fire protection must be more individualized for vulnerable people. As a preventive measure, smoke alarms can be linked to social alarms and thus belong to the same alarm center. Forwarding the alarm signal to home help or relatives can increase the possibility of getting to safety.

Ways forward

Many risk factors that contribute to more elderly people dying in fires can be minimized with cost-effective solutions. As many in the risk group already have access to social alarms, connecting them to smoke alarms is a simple solution that can save many lives. By introducing monitored fire alarms for the elderly, we can reduce the death rate.

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Fire safety for an ageing population (eng)
Fire safety for an ageing population (swe)