Just how safe is your home?

Fire Safety Week Fire-proof your home

 

Just how safe is your home?

Many Fire and Rescue Services offer a free home fire safety visit to people living within their fire station boundaries to help identify potential fire risks and provide advice on what to do to reduce or prevent them. They can also help you develop an escape plan in case the worst does ever happen.

The home fire safety visits are carried out by operational crews, they are completely free and you may be eligible for a free smoke alarm.

You can book a home fire risk check by phoning your local fire and rescue service - details in phone book (not 999), or online at: www.fire.gov.uk.

 

According to figures from the Association of British Insurers, 200 homes suffer a fire every day in the UK.

The average cost of a house fire claim last year was £8,452.00.

This year PSC is urging householders to conduct a home safety check during Fire Safety Week (November 14th – 21st) to reduce the risk of a fire in their homes.


Paul Coughlan of PSC said: "With 200 house fires happening every day, there's definitely more that could be being done to protect people's homes and families from the risks of fire. We are urging all householders to spend a bit of time during Fire Safety Week checking their homes and improving fire safety measures."

PSC recommends the following tips:

1. Consider how you and your family would escape from the home if a fire occurred and make sure this route is kept clear.

2. Keep internal doors closed, particularly at night, as this slows down the progression of a house fire.

3. Make sure you have at least one smoke alarm on each floor of your property and check the battery regularly, press the button not your luck.

4. Most house fires start in the kitchen. When cooking, ensure naked flames are not left unattended and if oil catches fire, smother the flames with a damp tea towel or lid, rather than pour water on it, which exacerbates the problem.

5. Ensure electrical wiring in the home is safe by using a qualified electrician for all work. Trying to tackle electrical work at home can be dangerous and could invalidate a home insurance claim if something went wrong as a result.

6. Avoid storing petrol or other flammable liquids in the home. Ideally they should be kept in a secure container in a shed or outbuilding.

7. Do not smoke in bed or when tired, as many house fires and injuries are caused by falling asleep while smoking.

 

8 . Check your phone is designed for making emergency calls when the power fails.

 

9 . Check elderly neighbours have a detector and it is working.

 

10 . Down load a free guide to home fire safety visit www.pscfiresafety.com scroll down the home page and fill in the details.

 

11. Business owners make sure you have the correct documents for when the fire brigade visit.

 

12 . Have a check on your electric blanket before using again.

 

PSC is also reminding people who have a real fireplace in their home to make sure their chimneys are swept safely by a professional chimney sweep before lighting fires again this winter. Throughout the summertime leaves, paper and even birds' nests build up inside chimney flues. If not cleared, this debris can release poisonous fumes and become a serious risk to health when the fire is lit. The National Association of Chimney Sweeps has a network of fully insured members throughout the UK. To find a qualified chimney sweep in your area, visit www.chimneyworks.co.uk