Most fire victims elderly

By Jane Chen | April 15, 2009, Wednesday |

Online Edition

THE majority of the victims of fires in Shanghai for the first three months of the year were aged over 60.

From January to March, there were 916 fires in the city, killing 12 seniors, three children and eight young people, and resulting in 6.7 million yuan (US$980,591.56) worth of damage, today's Oriental Morning Post reported, citing data from the local fire authority.

"Most fatal fires occurred in residential areas and most of the victims were seniors," a fire official told the newspaper.

The official said elderly people are often too slow to escape a fire. And many don't know how to use electrical appliances properly which makes fires more likely.

The official urged improved safety measures to take care of the elderly.

The authority also said about 70 percent of the city's fires occurred in the suburbs.

In the first quarter, there were 697 fires in the suburbs, resulting in 16 deaths and seven injured. The damage caused was worth 5 million yuan.

Three months ago, the fire authority began checking the city's nursing homes, schools and other public venues. Those with flaws were asked to get them fixed, the Oriental Morning Post said.

Metro

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Most fire victims elderly

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