[ARCHIVED CONTENT] DTI Home Safety Network

TV Fires (Europe)

There are an estimated 2208 TV fires in Europe per year. In relation to the number of TV sets this is equivalent to 12.2 TV fires per million TV sets.

A TV fire is a fire where the first point of ignition is from within the structure of the TV or ancillary equipment that forms a part of the TV. This can be a video recorder or satellite system.

The first ignition may be smouldering, a flame, explosion (implosion in the case of the tube) or accidental damage that causes the equipment to cease functioning. The resultant fire will have breached the envelope of the TV, or emitted noxious fumes, or produced molten droplets that breached the envelope of the TV.

Specifically excluded are acts of vandalism, criminal damage, ignition caused by the use of accelerants (alcohol, petrol etc.), and electrocution as a result of tampering. Only consumer accidents in the home and pursuing leisure activities are included.

Accurate data corresponding precisely to this definition of a TV fire was not available, so adjustments have been made, where appropriate, to allow for the exclusion of incidents that do not come within this definition.