Ensure you and your family stay safe from fire
(17/06/2009)
We are all at potential risk from fire in the home but according to latest statistics, the elderly and young people are particularly vulnerable to this danger. In 2006, 32 children under the age of 16 died in accidental house fires. On average, five people aged 17-24 are killed or injured by fires each day.
Fire statistics also show that you are more than twice as likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm – it is therefore essential that young people and older people alike have working smoke alarms that are checked regularly.
The Fire Kills campaign is calling on people to ‘Think Fire, Think Family’. This new campaign is urging families to ensure relatives, young and old, are safe from the devastating and potentially fatal dangers of fire.
Birds of A Feather Actress Linda Robson, is supporting the campaign. She says, ‘It’s so important that families stick together and that we take care of each other. My mum lives nearby and I always make sure she is safe and happy in her home. It takes just seconds to check a smoke alarm is working, you can do it while the kettle boils, just in time for a cup of tea after. As a mother myself, I feel strongly that family is precious and for this reason I’m urging everyone to take some time out of their daily routine to check that loved ones are safe.”
Sir Ken Knight, Chief Fire and Rescue Adviser, says: “Fire safety is something that affects all of us, and we can’t be complacent. I urge everyone to think not only about themselves, but also their family and friends when it comes to fire safety. It only takes a few moments to check the smoke alarm of an elderly parent, or install an alarm for a child who has moved out of home for the first time. These simple steps save lives.”
Here are top tips from the Fire Kills campaign to ensure you and your family stay safe from fire:
Fit and maintain a smoke alarm – you should have one on each level of your home and test it weekly. The ideal position is on the ceiling, in the middle of a room, or on the hallway and landing.
Test it weekly. A working smoke alarm can give you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999.
Check on others when you visit relatives or friends look out for safety hazards in the home. Offer to help test their alarm and plan escape routes together
In the event of a fire ‘Get out, Stay out and Call 999!’ – Don’t delay for valuables, don’t investigate or try to tackle the fire. Use a mobile, a neighbour’s phone or a phone box to call 999. If someone needs to be rescued, wait safely outside for the firefighters who have the equipment and training to do it. Never go back in.
Plan your escape route. Make sure you and your family know the quickest way out in the event of fire. Consider an alternative route in case your usual one is blocked.
Electric blankets – Make sure they are turned off and stored flat, or loosely folded/rolled up when not in use. Never use them with a hot water bottle. Statistics show that fires caused by electrical appliances, electric blankets have the highest rate of injury, with 440 injuries for every 1,000 fires.
Many local Fire and Rescue Services are able to visit homes and carry out free Home Fire Risk Checks to help keep residents safe from fire. They will also be able to give advice on specific alarms to suit different requirements. For more information on fire safety in the home, contact your local Fire and Rescue Service (not 999).
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Related categories: Children health and children safety Kids and children Parenting Teenagers Toddlers Tweenagers
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