Our Focus » The growing vulnerable community

Growing Vulnerable Communities 

Europe’s population is aging rapidly, with over 20% aged 65+ and life expectancy rising. This trend, along with the increase in people living independently with physical or mental disabilities, is creating a growing group of vulnerable individuals at heightened fire risk. These groups—elderly individuals, people with disabilities, children, and those in low socioeconomic circumstances—face greater challenges in preventing and escaping fires safely.

Compounding this issue is the dangerous reduction in escape times caused by modern residential fires, which produce far more smoke due to flammable furnishings like sofas and mattresses. Smoke is the leading cause of fatalities, obstructing vision, displacing oxygen, and producing lethal carbon monoxide. Vulnerable individuals, especially the elderly and those with disabilities, are often unable to escape unaided.

Key Solutions to Protect Vulnerable Groups

1. Prevent Fires Near the Body: Many fires among vulnerable groups begin close to beds or chairs. Quick response is critical through fire-safe behaviors, automatic extinguishing systems, and early detection.
2. Limit Smoke Development and Propagation: Promote fire-safe furnishings, enforce smoke-tight building designs, and encourage the use of sprinklers to limit smoke spread in homes, especially in collective housing like apartments. Limit smoke propagation to avoid exposure to smoke.
3. Enhance Early Warning Systems: Broader adoption of smoke detectors and domestic sprinklers is vital, particularly in homes of those unable to evacuate quickly.
4. Lower Ignition Propensity cigarettes: Improve the fire safe functioning of Lower Ignition Propensity (LIP) cigarettes. Smoking in combination with the flammability of upholstered furniture and mattresses is the number one cause of residential fatal fires. The testing methods of these cigarettes need to be urgently evaluated. 

Effective fire safety interventions require a combination of behavioral education, improved building regulations, and accessible fire prevention technologies to address these challenges holistically. Protecting vulnerable groups and ensuring sufficient escape times must be top priorities to prevent a rising toll of fire casualties in Europe.