Tallinn, Estonia – The rising number of fatalities from fires in Estonia during the first months of the year has been linked to indoor smoking and alcohol consumption, according to Janika Usin, head of the prevention department at the Rescue Board. Usin emphasized that the victims tend to be older individuals, often living alone, and with disabilities, who lack proper smoke detectors in their homes.
Usin highlighted that many of the incidents involved open flames in the home, particularly candles, leading to tragic outcomes. Despite efforts to prevent such tragedies, the statistics have shown a concerning increase in fire-related deaths, with February marking a particularly deadly month.
The government has implemented measures to improve heating and electrical systems in homes, but Usin pointed out that individuals must be willing to accept the assistance offered. Refusal to change risky behavior, such as smoking indoors, continues to be a significant challenge in preventing these incidents.
The removal or dysfunction of smoke detectors has been a common factor in fatal fires, as seen in the recent cases in Estonia. Usin stressed the importance of having functional smoke detectors to mitigate the risks associated with indoor smoking.
In the first two months of this year alone, 18 lives have been lost in fires, with half of the incidents attributed to careless smoking. Despite ongoing efforts to educate the public and provide support, the number of fatalities remains troubling.
Looking back at previous years, 2023 saw 35 fire-related deaths, with this year showing a concerning trend in the early months. Usin expressed the need for collective action to address the root causes of these tragedies and underscored the importance of fire prevention measures in every household.
As Estonia grapples with the devastating impact of these incidents, the focus remains on raising awareness, promoting safety measures, and fostering a community-wide effort to prevent further loss of life due to fires.