Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has launched Fire Safety Week 2026 with a call for the public to help protect those most at risk, highlighting that nearly seven in ten people who died in house fires in the past decade were living alone.

As the campaign gets under way, NIFRS is urging people to 'Know the Room, Know the Risk, Know the Person'—to spot common hazards in their homes and to look out for anyone who may be more vulnerable to fire, such as those who live alone or have a disability or impaired mobility.

Between 2015 and 2025, 89 people lost their lives in house fires in Northern Ireland, and 62 of them were living alone.

Smoking materials were linked to 38 of the fatalities, with wiring, cabling and plugs associated with 15, and heaters and open fires with 9. The pattern has continued this year: to date in 2026, 3 people have died in house fires, 2 in incidents involving smoking materials and 1 involving an electrical source.

The figures were released to coincide with Fire Safety Week 2026, which NIFRS is delivering in partnership with the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management in the Republic of Ireland.

NIFRS Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Marcus Wright said: "Fire Safety Week is an important reminder that fire safety is a responsibility we all share, not only in our own homes, but in looking out for those around us.

"We're asking everyone to take a look around their home and think about the risks that may be present in the rooms they spend the most time. Most accidental fires in the home start in the kitchen, while our figures show that the bedroom is where the greatest number of fatalities have occurred. "We also want people to think about who may be at greater risk from fire. A significant proportion of those who have lost their lives in house fires lived alone. Whether that's you, a family member, friend or neighbour, recognising that someone may need additional support could help keep them safe.

"One of the easiest ways to understand your fire risk is to complete our free online Home Fire Safety Check. This tool is available to everyone and if your home is identified as being at greater risk, you will be referred for an in-person Home Fire Safety Check where NIFRS personnel will visit your home to provide further practical fire safety advice.

"We're urging everyone to take a few minutes this week to look around their home. Spot the fire risks in each room and think about whether you or someone you know may need extra support. Test your smoke alarms, fit additional alarms in rooms you use most frequently, such as bedrooms and living rooms, and make sure you have a suitable heat alarm in your kitchen."

Director of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management Keith Leonard: "We want people to take a fresh look at the environments around them and consider the fire risks that might otherwise go unnoticed. From using electrical devices to cooking, many everyday activities can present fire hazards if not managed safely. Knowing the person is just as important as knowing the risk, particularly when it comes to older people, those living alone, or anyone who may need additional support to stay safe from fire. Early detection through working smoke alarms, combined with knowing the safest escape route, is critical to reducing the impact of fire. By understanding the risks in each room and being prepared to respond, everyone can play a role in making our homes and communities safer."