Coroner's Finding: Pears, Phyllis (AMK)
Deceased
Phyllis Mabel Pears
Demographics
90y, female
Date of death
2019-05-29
Finding date
2020-09-11
Cause of death
incineration
AI-generated summary
A 90-year-old woman with limited mobility died from incineration in a house fire caused by self-heating wheat packs. She had been discharged from hospital on the morning of her death following a medical event, with a coroner-appointed medical expert deeming the discharge appropriate. The fire originated when wheat packs heated in a microwave were piled on a chair, causing spontaneous ignition. Her reduced mobility prevented escape. The coroner found no medical factors contributed to death but identified limited mobility as a significant factor in her inability to escape the fire. Key lessons include proper instruction and awareness regarding wheat pack safety, and consideration of fire risk factors in discharge planning for elderly patients with mobility limitations.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes.
Contributing factors
- limited mobility preventing escape from fire
- wheat packs heated in microwave and piled on chair causing spontaneous ignition
- close proximity to ignition source
Coroner's recommendations
- Individuals in possession of wheat packs without instructions as to their use should immediately cease use of such wheat packs
- Members of the public should familiarise themselves with the Fact Sheet prepared by Tasmania Fire Service prior to using wheat packs
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