The public experience of fire is vastly different to that of the professionals involved in planning for, responding to and recovering from dwelling/HMO fires. Some key findings from research studies are set in the document and briefly identify desirable public-oriented outcomes under the headings of avoidance of embarrassment/inconvenience; damage to premises; injuries; people, pets and possessions and consequential impact.
Studies have shown that most of the public will attempt to extinguish a fire to protect family, friends, pets, valuables and loved ones.
When a fire extinguisher is used most of the public do avoid injury, not by luck, but through active decision-making and because of the relatively low level of risk they encounter in dwelling/HMO fires and they will either use a fire extinguisher or extinguish the fire by other means if necessary.
To find out more how the public react to fire click on the link below and scroll to section 3.