The use of spatial-temporal analysis of electrical fire incident data to target effective fire prevention education in Kent

Electrical fires pose a significant threat to public safety and property, necessitating the development of effective fire prevention strategies. This study employed robust spatiotemporal analysis methods to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of electrical appliance fire incidents in Kent, UK, from 2009 to 2019. By leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial statistical techniques, this study identified significant hotspots of electrical fire occurrence at a granular level within the county. The integration of demographic data from the 2011 UK Census enabled the identification of specific communities that could benefit from targeted electrical fire prevention education campaigns.

The analysis reveals that the most common main causes of electrical fires are 'Fault in Equipment or Appliance' and 'Faulty Fuel Supply - Electricity', with the most significant ignition sources being 'wiring, cabling, and plugs', 'cookers including ovens', and 'tumble dryers'. Hotspots were identified in several urban areas across Kent, with census data indicating that wards with a high fire incidence have a younger mean age, a higher number of rented properties, and a higher proportion of overcrowded residences.

This study critically evaluates the existing Incident Reporting System (IRS) used by UK fire and rescue services and proposes recommendations for improvement, such as the introduction of new codes to capture electrical failures, misuse, and fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, this study explored innovative fire prevention education methods, including mobile applications, virtual reality technology, and targeted home fire safety checks.

The findings of this study have significant implications for fire and rescue services, enabling them to develop targeted evidence-based strategies to reduce the incidence and impact of electrical fires in their communities. The study also highlights the need for further research using more recent incident and census data as well as the evaluation of proposed fire prevention education strategies.