In some ways, Europe is unique. Europe is exceptional in both its huge stock of older housing and its very low rate of new building. Tenancy arrangements, the nature of electrical installations and other factors are also region-specific. It does appear, however, that the problem of it would take more than one hundred years to replace all of Europe’s deficient wiring deficient domestic wiring is not confined to Europe. Indeed, Europe scores quite highly in comparison with less wealthy parts of the world with regard to the standard of initial electrical installation and the degree of adherence to accepted safety standards. 

If the number of fire deaths per million people is taken as an indicator of electrical safety, Europe comes out quite well. The rate of fire deaths in the United States is fifteen, while in Japan it is sixteen, per million, both considerably higher than Europe’s reading of seven. Domestic electrical safety, as in Europe, should be considered to be a cause for concern in these other wealthy parts of the world.