The increasing use of synthetic organic polymers as insulation for wire and cable has led to some concern regarding the flammability of these materials, which may contribute to propagation of an electrically initiated fire. An analysis of statistical data for 1977–1979 reported through the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) to the National Fire Data Center of the U.S. Fire Administration [1] has revealed that wire and cable insulation is involved in 59% of the fire incidents in which a plastic material is ignited first, accounting for a considerable percentage of the “civilian injuries” recorded by the data system for plastic products' fires. Wire and cable insulation thus poses a significant, albeit unusual flammability hazard, as well as complex technical problems relating to the selection of materials and designs for improved flame resistance. The magnitude of these problems is reflected, for example, in the proceedings of workshops held under the aegis of the National Research Council, with contributions from many experts in the field. Technical reports covering these workshops have been issued by the National Materials Advisory Board [2] and by the Electric Power Research Institute [3], and they demonstrate that overviews of materials and technology employed in wire and cable insulation, and approaches to flame resistance, can provide only an introductory discussion of a difficult and multifaceted subject. In the context of these limitations, the present paper presents a brief review of the polymeric materials and flame retardants currently used in the industry, and of some advanced state-of-the-art approaches that have been developed to enhance fire resistance in wire and cable products.