Foresight is key to fire safety
The Ministry of the Interior prepares all legislation related to fire safety. The Rescue Act and other statutes obligate the owners and users of buildings to ensure fire safety. Building owners and users must
- evaluate and remove any fire risks
- ensure that smoke alarms are in working order
- ensure that people can exit the building safely in the event of a fire (escape routes)
- ensure that emergency personnel have unimpeded access to the site (accessibility of emergency access roads).
Fire safety management targets resources especially at care institutions, accommodation facilities and places of assembly, such as hospitals, educational institutions, hotels, hostels and shopping centres.
Rescue departments monitor fire safety
Rescue departments carry out fire inspections involving guidance and safety communication to the owners and users of buildings. In connection with fire inspections, rescue departments may also issue regulations or recommendations on such matters as safety arrangements or safety equipment. The aim is to prevent fires and other accidents.
Fire safety improves gradually
Rescue departments were called to 4,921 structural fires in 2023. Of these, 2,479 were residential fires. Residential fires are often caused by cookers, ovens or other electrical devices. A common cause of fire are unattended cookers: either someone forgets to turn off the cooker or it is turned on by accident so that any flammable items on or near the cooker catch fire.
Around 40–50 people die in fires in Finland every year. The figure is still high by international comparison, despite improvements in fire safety in recent years.
These improvements in fire safety have been achieved by
- making smoke alarms mandatory
- introducing self-extinguishing cigarettes
- communicating actively on fire safety, including fire safety campaigns.