East Midlands MEP makes Fire Safety Recommendations to EU Parliament

From today it is possible for MEPs to sign a Written Declaration on Domestic Fire Safety, which has been submitted to the European Parliament by East Midlands Conservative MEP, Emma McClarkin.

Miss McClarkin is a co-author of the Declaration, which urges member states and the European Commission to take measures to help reduce the number of domestic fires.

75-80% of all fire fatalities across the EU occur in domestic homes. A 2009 report about injuries in the EU indicated that 35% of fatal accidents in the home are as a result of fire and smoke.

The UK and Ireland have stricter fire-resistance standards for domestic furniture than other EU member states. Other member states such as Germany and Sweden are wary of the excessive use of flame-retardant chemicals, however there are a range of voluntary standards in place which were established by CEN, the European standardisation committee.

The measures proposed in the Written Declaration are:

1.    Urges the Member States to promote initiatives and awareness raising campaigns to educate consumers about domestic fire risks;

2.    Urges the Commission to explore ways to ensure the collection of comprehensive fire statistics across the EU;

3.    Calls for the introduction of harmonised fire safety requirements for domestic upholstered furniture sold in Europe ensuring the highest level of fire safety, health and environmental protection, and for labelling of flammable products in the interim;

4.    Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the Commission, the Council and the Governments of the Member States.

Miss McClarkin said:

“I know from personal experience just how quickly a fire can start and spread, so I’m very glad to have co-authored this declaration which I hope will raise the issue of fire safety and help to save lives across the EU.

“We need to do all we can to try and raise awareness of fire safety. Anything that people can do to give themselves more time – such as a working smoke alarm – is hugely important.

“Not every country has the same awareness of fire as the UK, so it’s vital that we urge member states to raise awareness of fire safety so that as many lives as possible are saved.

“We need to consider the fire safety aspect in processing our legislation to make sure new measures enhance fire safety across the board. Fire destruction costs one per cent of Europe’s GDP and the risk of fire in the home keeps increasing. Now is the time for Europe to act in unison to start bringing the death-toll down.”