Apr 15 2010

Free Home Fire Safety Visit available to everyone in Lambeth

Firefighters work hard across Lambeth to prevent fires however there are still hundreds of fires in people’s homes each year. Last year in Lambeth alone there were over 550 house fires. Unfortunately, disabled people, especially those with mobility problems, can be more vulnerable when a fire breaks out as mobility problems can make it more difficult to escape.

However, most fires in the home can be avoided by taking some simple steps. London Fire Brigade’s Deputy Head of Community Safety, Catherine Levin, said: “Smoke alarms save lives so if you work with, or care for someone with a disability, make sure they have a working smoke alarm on every level of their home. Every second counts in a fire and a smoke alarm can buy you valuable seconds to get out. There are even special smoke alarms available for people who are hard of hearing, which set off a vibrating pad or flashing light”.

London Fire Brigade offers free home fire safety visits. Firefighters will visit your home and help you spot any potential fire hazards and show you what to do to reduce or prevent the risk of fire. They will also fit free smoke alarms if needed.
For a free home fire safety visit, please call 08000 28 44 28 or go to http://www.london-fire.gov.uk

Please always quote Lambeth 11 when you apply for your free smoke alarm

London Fire Brigade’s top tips on fire safety in the home:
• Make an escape plan - think about how you (or the person you care for) would escape from your home if a fire broke out and make sure the way out isn’t blocked.
• If you live in sheltered accommodation or a residential home, ask your landlord or warden to explain the safety plans for the premises and make sure you know your nearest route to safety.
• More people die in fires caused by smoking than anything else. Smokers should always stub cigarettes out properly and dispose of them carefully - tobacco is manufactured to stay alight, meaning it can remain smouldering and start a fire. Never take your cigarettes to bed with you – you could easily set fire to your bed if you fell asleep.
• More than half of accidental fires in the home start in the kitchen so take great care not to leave cooking unattended and make sure you take extra care with chip pans, which can be lethal if not used carefully.
• Be careful with heaters and fires, which should be kept well away from anything flammable, like curtains or drying clothes. Try not to leave electric heaters on over night and if you leave the house make sure heaters are switched off.
• Candles should never be left unattended and should be placed well away from curtains, blinds and other flammable items.