Cold Season Increases Risk of Deadly House Fires

The Board for Traffic Safety (KFV) has warned of an increased fire risk in the cold season, which is heightened by the increased use of heaters and candles.

Fatalities Mainly in Their Own Homes

Two-thirds of all fatal fires occurred between October and March. In the last 15 years, there has been a slight upward trend in residential fires, according to statistics from the Austrian Fire Prevention Agencies (BVS) and the Austrian Insurance Association (VVO).

The increase in fire incidents was 19 percent, and the increase in damage amounts was 123 percent. Common causes were smoldering cigarette butts, candles, heating systems, overheated fat, or items left on stovetops.

Most Deaths Recorded in 2023

In 2024, 43 fatalities due to fires were recorded, the majority of them in autumn and winter months. In 2023, there were 60, and in 2022, 49 deaths. Over 90 percent of fatal fires occurred in their own homes. Just a few factors determine whether people survive a residential fire unscathed - smoke detectors, quick reactions, and timely evacuation significantly increase the chances, according to the KFV.

According to a study by the board, many people in Austria often act too late, incorrectly, or not at all in the event of a fire - and massively underestimate the dynamics of a fire. "Only a third of respondents left the building within the first three minutes - even though these are particularly crucial. The majority hesitate, remain in the danger area, or do not call the fire department in time. The current results reveal an alarming pattern: human behavior often fails under stress," explained Armin Kaltenegger, head of the property protection department at KFV.

Proper behavior in the event of a fire is crucial for the further course. "Fires are rare, but when they occur, the first minute is decisive. To minimize risks, we must enable people to act correctly in this extreme stress situation - because pure knowledge is not enough. Behavior in a fire situation must be learned and then regularly practiced so that it can be correctly recalled in an emergency," said Kaltenegger.

Around a Quarter Did Not Make an Emergency Call

For the KFV study, 835 people who had experienced a fire in their own homes were surveyed to analyze real reactions, decision-making behavior, perceptions, and subsequent actions. Particularly concerning: misjudgment in alerting emergency services. Only 24 percent considered it necessary to make an emergency call. 59 percent of fire survivors initially try to contain the fire themselves. Nevertheless, 43 percent of respondents believed they had made no mistakes - despite documented risk situations.

Technology such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers is also essential, but these are missing in many households: around 34 percent of those affected had no smoke detectors in the household when the fire broke out. Still, many do not learn from these mistakes. Because 33 percent did not implement any safety measures even after the fire. "The survey shows that people rarely fall into blind panic during residential fires. Rather, they usually react relatively rationally and try to understand and control the situation. Mistakes in action are therefore not based on panic, but on cognitive delays, stress, uncertainty, and misjudgments. This is where we should focus," said Kaltenegger.

(APA/Red)

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