New bill targets wildfire smoke contamination rules for reoccupying homes

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

Wildfire smoke standard proposed for home reoccupancy

A California lawmaker has introduced a bill that would set statewide, science-based standards for deciding when a home is safe to live in after a wildfire.

The New York Times reported that Assemblymember John Harabedian, whose district includes Altadena, introduced Assembly Bill 1642 on Tuesday.

The bill calls for new health-based guidelines for testing and cleaning homes contaminated by toxic smoke, along with criteria for when a home is safe to reoccupy.

It would assign the California Department of Toxic Substances Control responsibility for developing and specifying the standards.

It would also shift post-fire safety decisions away from insurance companies and towards a public-health agency.

Investigations and background cited by the Times

California has no agreed-upon standards for how to test or clean homes affected by toxic smoke contamination.

The Times said this has allowed insurance companies to dictate what substances to test for and how to address contamination.

Harabedian said: “A lot of families are in this unfortunate and uncertain position of not knowing whether it’s safe to move back.”

“And that’s because there isn’t a statewide standard that is based on science.”

He added: “You would think that we would have a uniform post-fire safety standard and some sort of, you know, objective way of determining that.”

“Unfortunately, what we see is that there isn’t one.”

The Times said the bill was inspired by its earlier investigation into one family’s return to a contaminated home in Altadena.

For that earlier reporting, hair samples from each family member were analysed by a professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.

The Times reported the tests found the couple and their two children had been exposed to a surge of heavy metals as soon as they returned home.

The article said smoke from modern fires can include gases containing neurotoxins and carcinogens when homes, cars, electronics and consumer goods burn.

It reported that, in Los Angeles County, State Farm and the California FAIR Plan have been placed under investigation in part for their handling of smoke claims.

It said that, in July, the California Department of Insurance created a task force intended to create post-fire remediation standards.

Senator Adam Schiff called for an investigation based on the Times’s findings about insurers’ use of science in smoke-related decisions.

Schiff wrote in an email to The Times: “As families impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires continue to recover and rebuild, it’s critical that insurance companies follow the science and the facts to ensure that families can safely return home, and any allegations of potential manipulation or misleading science should be investigated.”

National Fire Chiefs Council home safety call targets festive fire deaths

by Featured NewsFire DetectionSafety

NFCC issues new home safety stance

The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) has published a Home Safety Position Statement on Friday 19 December 2025, calling for ongoing government support for prevention activity aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries from fires in the home.

The organisation said the UK’s fire and rescue services need long-term investment in advice, education and public awareness work to reduce preventable harm.

NFCC linked the call to this week’s Local Government Finance Settlement, arguing that prevention and education work must be properly supported.

England figures show festive risk

NFCC cited government data showing 250,000 accidental dwelling fires in England over the past decade.

The same data shows 1,804 deaths and 44,806 injuries from accidental dwelling fires in England over that period.

NFCC said the risk of fire is higher in December than in an average month of the year.

It added that Christmas Day is the day of the year when a fire is most likely to occur.

Data sharing and partnerships prioritised

NFCC said stronger prevention and more effective partnership working are needed to reach people most at risk.

The organisation said nearly one-third of people who die in fires are known to health or social care services.

It said information that could help prevent fires is often held across different organisations.

NFCC said lawful and effective data sharing between fire and rescue services, local authorities, the NHS and other partners would support earlier and more targeted intervention.

The organisation said it wants work on a household fire-risk model that links fire and health data to refine how home fire safety activity is targeted.

Chair calls for prevention in core funding

Phil Garrigan, NFCC Chair, said: “Fire and rescue services are doing more than ever to keep people safe in their homes.

“We see every day how a simple conversation or home visit can make the difference between life and death.

“The risks people face at home are changing, and prevention must keep pace – focusing on those most at risk, with the investment needed built into the core funding of the fire and rescue service.”

Home visits and education focus

NFCC described Home Fire Safety Visits as assessments carried out by fire and rescue service staff to identify risks in the home, install equipment such as smoke alarms and provide tailored advice.

The organisation said fire risks in the home are changing alongside increases in vulnerable populations, more care at home and the growing use of devices with lithium-ion batteries.

NFCC said it wants multi-year funding for home fire safety education to support national campaigns, school learning through StayWise and awareness work across housing, health and care sectors.

It also called for updates to national fire and rescue frameworks so that person-centred Home Fire Safety Visits are recognised as a tool for consistent advice, with reference to NFCC’s Person-Centred Framework Guidance.

NFCC said local authorities also need funding and capacity to inspect and enforce smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarm regulations in private and social rentals.

Cost savings cited for visits

NFCC cited University of Liverpool research stating that every £1 invested in Home Fire Safety Visits generates £2.75 in savings through reduced fire, health and social care costs.

The organisation said the visits can also provide early intervention and safeguarding opportunities that reduce demand on other public services.

Public safety reminders for winter

NFCC said working smoke alarms and clear escape routes remain key precautions for reducing harm from fires in the home.

It encouraged extra care with electrical items, including avoiding overloaded sockets, unplugging lights and chargers overnight and choosing products that meet UK safety standards.

NFCC said candles, heaters and decorations should be kept away from flammable materials such as curtains or furnishings.

It added that members of the public can complete its free Online Home Fire Safety Check (OHFSC) for tailored advice.

What the position statement changes for prevention work

The statement sets out NFCC’s case for building person-centred Home Fire Safety Visits into national fire and rescue frameworks, alongside multi-year funding for education and public awareness work.

Fire and rescue chiefs and senior officers may use the document when discussing prevention resourcing after the Local Government Finance Settlement.

Local authority leaders and housing teams are referenced through NFCC’s call for funding and capacity to inspect and enforce smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarm regulations in private and social rentals.

Fire and rescue services working with health and social care partners may also use NFCC’s focus on lawful data sharing and a household fire-risk model linking fire and health data to shape how risk is identified and referrals are handled.