CHILD FATALITIES IN SCOTTISH HOUSE FIRES 1980-1990 - A CASE OF CHILD NEGLECT

This paper considers 168 child (< 17 years) fatalities killed in house fires in Scotland. Data were obtained from the records retained by th e procurators fiscal, as part of a survey into all Scottish fire fatal ities during the period 1980 to 1990. Although these fires were genera lly perceived as being tragic ''accidents,'' we conclude that they wer e largely a direct result of the activities of adults in the home. We analyze this in terms of contemporaneous supervision and the child-car e environment. The role of alcohol in domestic fires is particularly i mportant. Behavioral patterns of parents and caregivers are seen to be placing children in a very high risk category and the fatality rate c ould be significantly reduced if behavior was modified to reduce the r isk. Whether these considerations imply ''neglect'' is partly a questi on of definition. It is important to recognize that the fire safety me ssage could usefully be integrated within a more general child care or family welfare scheme. Front line professionals in these fields are i deally placed to convey this message and to make a contribution toward s reducing the risk of children being killed or injured in fire.