Unintentional fire-related deaths in Canada, 2011 to 2020

Release date: October 7, 2022
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Infographic: Unintentional fire-related deaths in Canada, 2011 to 2020
Description: Unintentional fire-related deaths in Canada, 2011 to 2020

Unintentional fire-related deaths in Canada, 2011 to 2020Note 1

On average, 220 fire-related deaths occurred every year in Canada. 81% of these deaths were unintentional.

92% of unintentional fire-related deaths occurred in someone’s residence or on their property (includes vehicles parked in driveway or garage).

  • Workplace (excludes residences): 2%
  • Other parked vehicles (non-transport-related incident): 1%
  • Outdoors (park or rural area) and Other: 1%
  • Not specified:Note 2 4%

The majority of victims of unintentional residential fire-related death victims were male.


Table 1
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1. The information is grouped by Sex (appearing as row headers), (appearing as column headers).
Sex
Male 60%
Female 40%

Over one-third of unintentional residentialfire-related death victims were 65 years old or over.


Table 2
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 2. The information is grouped by Age group (appearing as row headers), (appearing as column headers).
Age group
Under 20 years 11%
20 to 34 years 9%
35 to 49 years 15%
50 to 64 years 26%
65 years or over 39%

More than twice as many unintentional residential fire-related deaths occurred during winter (December to March) than summer (June to September).


Table 3
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 3. The information is grouped by Season (appearing as row headers), (appearing as column headers).
Season
Winter 750
Summer 360

At least one modifiable risk factor was reported in approximately half of unintentional residential fire-related deaths.Note 3

  • At least one-fifth of unintentional residential fire-related deaths were caused by cigarettes or smoking material.Note 4
  • Alcohol, cannabis or illicit drug consumption was reported in nearly 1 in 3 unintentional residential fire related deaths.
  • At least 1 in 7 unintentional residential fire-related deaths occurred in residences without a working smoke alarm.Note 5

Source: Statistics Canada, Canadian Coroner and Medical Examiner Database.

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Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2022

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Catalogue no. 11-627-M

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