ALCOHOL AND HOUSE FIRE FATALITIES IN SCOTLAND, 1980-1990

The association between house fire fatalities and high blood-alcohol c oncentrations has been recognized as a particular problem in Scotland. Alcohol intoxication increases the risk of the outbreak of fire and d ecreases the intoxicated individual's ability to effect an escape. Thi s survey investigates the reported blood-alcohol concentrations from a ll Scottish fire fatalities during the 11-year period 1980-90 and anal yses the data by age, sex, year and geographical location. Alcohol int oxication in fires is shown both to be a national problem and one rele vant to females as well as males. Fire prevention campaigns must conti nue to emphasize the risk of consuming excessive quantities of alcohol in the home whilst parallel efforts to reduce the objective risk shou ld be encouraged.