Brigade backs ‘Stoptober’ campaign in bid to curb balcony fires
Last updated: 03/10/2024, 3:15 PM

Brigade backs ‘Stoptober’ campaign in bid to curb balcony fires

03/10/2024 12:00
London-wide
Safety warnings

The Brigade is calling for Londoners to quit smoking for good this ‘Stoptober’, as smoking materials are revealed as the biggest cause of balcony fires in the capital. 

Recent figures show that for 130 dwelling fires on balconies over a one-year period*, cigarettes were the biggest cause of fires. The Brigade recorded 64 balconies involved in a blaze due to smokers not disposing of smoking materials safely – almost 50% of the total. The figure far outweighs any other cause for balcony fires, with only a handful of fires in the same location caused by barbecues, cigarette lighters or fireworks.

Accidental fires caused by cigarettes landing on balconies include one incident in August 2024, in Blackwall. It was a very visible fire on the 25th floor and attracted around 110 calls to the Brigade’s 999 Control centre. Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters helped to extinguish the blaze.

In March, a balcony fire at a flat on the 11th floor of a building in the Isle of Dogs, was caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials. Thankfully there were no injuries, the Brigade received 14 ‘999’ calls. 

Balcony fire in Blackwall last August

Assistant Commissioner for Prevention & Protection Craig Carter said: “Giving up smoking can not only prevent fires, it also provides countless health benefits.

“We'd rather you didn't smoke at all, but if you are a smoker, it's absolutely vital you ensure your cigarette is completely out when you've finished smoking it. If you don't, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy homes but also cost you your life.

“Non-smokers in flats with a balcony are totally reliant on others to put their cigarettes right out when they’ve finished them. It’s really important that you dispose of smoking materials safely and never throw cigarettes from balconies or windows. At the end of the day the best way to make sure you don’t put others in harm’s way is to quit. Taking part in Stoptober is the perfect opportunity to get started.”

This year’s Stoptober campaign is encouraging smokers to try quitting for 28 days – experts say stopping for the month makes it five times more likely a smoker will quit for good. Stoptober offers a range of free quitting tools including the NHS Quit Smoking app, daily email support, Facebook support groups, information about quitting smoking with a vape and expert support from local stop smoking services. Simply search ‘Stoptober’ for more information or visit the Better Health Quit Smoking website.

Brigade’s smoking safety advice tips

  • It's safer to smoke outside, but make sure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of properly.
  • Never smoke in bed and avoid smoking on armchairs and sofas – especially if you think you might fall asleep.
  • Take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs or if you’ve been drinking alcohol.
  • Use proper ashtrays which can’t tip over and stub cigarettes out properly.
  • Always empty ashtrays carefully. Make sure smoking materials are out, cold and preferably wet them before throwing into a bin – never use a wastepaper basket.
  • Never smoke if you use healthcare equipment like medical oxygen, an air flow pressure relief mattress or emollient creams.
  • Fit smoke alarms in any room where a fire could start in your home. In smoky or steamy rooms, like your kitchen or bathroom, a heat alarm is more suitable.

*1 August 2023 to 31 July 2024