Home Fire Safety Check visits

Reporter: Ask Rossendale
Date online: 17/04/2008

The exceptional efforts of Lancashire firefighters, fire control and support staff have placed the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service as a top performer nationally when it comes to the numbers of Home Fire Safety Check visits undertaken and free smoke alarms fitted in Lancashire homes. With a figure of 36,125 visits accomplished and 35,832 smoke alarms fitted last year, something of the scale of the effort can be gained from noticing that Lancashire’s totals exceed those of four entire regions.

Throughout Lancashire firefighters are undertaking Home Fire Safety Check visits to domestic property where, at the invitation of the householder, they will identify potential fire hazards such as overloaded electrical sockets and clothes left to dry too near to heaters. They give advice on how to prevent fire and what to do if the worst happens and there is a fire. Helping the householder devise a fire escape plan and learning how to survive if trapped by fire can become lifesaving advice.

Because a smoke detector provides the essential early warning of a fire to enable those in the home to make their escape, firefighters will fit one or more for free during a Home Fire Safety Check visit if the home is not already so equipped.

Says Lancashire’s Chief Fire Officer, Peter Holland:-

“We hear about fires in the home but most of us think it will never happen to us. We all know prevention is better than cure and our firefighters give advice that really can save lives.”

“Home Fire Safety Check visits may be booked, at no charge whatsoever, on FREEPHONE 0800 1691125. It is a call that could so easily save lives.”