Outdated furniture fire safety rules putting people at risk, MP warns

Most domestic fires begin in living rooms, often triggered by heaters, candles or smoking. Photograph: Alamy/PA

The UK is still using extremely outdated furniture fire safety rules, putting people at risk from toxic materials, an MP has warned.

Bob Blackman, the chair of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on fire safety, said the government has failed to update rules that date back to 1988, leaving millions of households exposed to materials that exacerbate the release of dangerous fumes when they burn.