Ontario Stove Top Fire Survey

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Ontario Stove Top Fire Survey - September 2006

2005 – 2006 OFM Stove Top Fire Survey - Questions covered: Type of residence,Extent of fire,Type of stove and element used,Type of cooking,Key factors in ignition/ Person cooking, Smoke alarm status, Action taken by occupant, Injuries

2005 – 2006 OFM Stove Top Fire Survey:Type of Residence - Findings: The highest incidence of stove top fires was in multi unit dwellings. -The highest $ loss in stove top fires was in detached houses. - A significantly higher rate of stove top fires was reported in subsidized dwellings (63 per 100,000) when compared with non subsidized dwellings (22 per 100,000).

2005 – 2006 OFM Stove Top Fire Survey:Extent of fire - Findings:99% occurred in the kitchen, 61% confined to the appliance., 46% extinguished by occupant,21% self extinguished, 25% extinguished by fire department, 0.2 fires (2) were extinguished by an automatic system.

2005 – 2006 OFM Stove Top Fire Survey:Type of Stove - Findings: Fires were lower than market rates in gas fuelled stove tops – 5% of fires, 78% of the stoves had controls at the back of the stove, but this was not a factor reported in the 4 cases where wearing apparel was ignited, 51% of the fires involved front burners, 34% back burners (14% unknown or not reported, 1% other).

Stove Top Fires: Type of cooking - Findings: 44% element was on high,27% pan frying,23% deep fat frying,23% simmering,11% boiling water,86% of items were ignited on burner,49% cooking oil/grease first object ignited, 28% other food items,Non food items ignited on the stove top 14% including plastic item (5%) pot, pan or kettle (2%), paper (2%),Secondary objects ignited: 63% none, 27% cabinetry.

Stove Top Fires: Key Factors/ Person cooking : 69%,54% were in another room,20% were away from home,9% were outside – on the premises,7% were in the kitchen.

Stove Top Fires: Key Factors/ Person cooking - Findings: Distracted/forgot: 51% (635),Person asleep: 10% (126),Unaware of hazard: 21% (259),Possible Impairment, Alcohol: 5% (62),Mental Disability: 2% (18),Possible Impairment, Drugs: 1% (16),Physical Disability: 0.4% (5).

Stove Top Fires: Key factors/ Person cooking - Findings:- Gender of person cooking at the time of the fire: 56% female; 39% male. Age group 20-29 were reported with the highest incidence of stove top fires 148 per 1M population, 30-39 the second highest at 126, declining to below 100 for older age groups.

Stove Top Fires: Smoke alarm status - Findings:- Occupant first alerted to fire; 30% saw fire/smoke, 16% smelled smoke,25% smoke alarm alerted them. Alarm operation; 64% of these fires the smoke alarm operated,4% smoke did not reach alarm,12% no battery in the alarm, dead battery no power,8% no smoke alarm. Battery removed due to nuisance alarms; 2% of all fires.

Stove Top Fires: Occupant Actions :- Occupant(s) attempted to extinguish the fire: 61% (755), Did not attempt to extinguish fire: 8% (97), Evacuated: 15% (191), Unknown: 5% (70), Other: Away from home 10% (120), self extinguished 0.5% (7), neighbour extinguished 0.8% (11), removed pot or turned off stove 0.6% (8). Note: more than one action could be reported.

Findings:- 106 fires, 205 injuries: Overall 9% of stove top fires resulted in injuries. In 8% of fires where no attempt to extinguish the fire was made there were injuries reported compared to: 17% of fires where an attempt to extinguish the fire was made and there were injuries reported.