Alarming statistics showing 180 fire deaths between 2003 and 2007, prompted Thursday's launch by the Jamaica Fire Brigade(JFB) of a safety awareness drive that it intends to take to every household starting immediately.

"This was a soft launch and we are very pleased with the public's response to it...within three months we will have a national launch, but in the meantime, we will be on the road with the awareness programme," said Deputy Commissioner in charge of operations at the Jamaica Fire Brigade Errol Mowatt.

Of the 180 recorded deaths by fire between 2003 and 2007, 132 were adults and 48, children.

According to Mowatt and other JFB personnel who attended the launch in Grangehill, Westmoreland, a significant percentage of the fires were attributable to illegal electricity connections, and carelessness.

"We are having a serious problem in terms of illegal connections in unplanned communities. Access is difficult in terms of narrow roadways (and) lack of fire hydrants," said Assistant Commissioner Samuel McIntosh, the JFB's Chief Fire Prevention officer.

McIntosh said other challenges faced by the department in responding to fires included obstructions to their trucks caused by power lines and the proximity of houses in unplanned neighbourhoods.

He said that the brigade would be partnering with several organisations as well as the general public in an effort to promote the concept of prevention as opposed to cure.