Fire Risk to Children. U.S. Fire Administration Topical Fire Research Series, Volume 4, Issue 8, December 2004

摘要

It is an unfortunate fact that young children face an elevated risk of injury or death in a fire. Very young children are typically dependent to some degree on others for their safety. Those older are more mobile, but may not have sufficient abilities to protect themselves. Although many factors influence the risk children face, more often than not age--and more specifically immaturity--dominates. This topical report provides a brief analysis of the fire risk for children between birth and age 14. The concept of risk with respect to fire casualties can be addressed in several ways: absolute numbers of deaths and injuries, proportions (percent) of these casualties, rates (per unit, usually fires or population), and relative risk. Each measure is useful but in different ways, and each has its drawbacks.