Home Safety Week 2019

We are supporting the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) Home Safety Week, which runs from 30^th September to the 6^th October 2019.

The campaign is encouraging households to check smoke alarms are right for their homes needs and will provide them with an early warning in the event of a fire. Most homes have smoke alarms installed (95 per cent) but in nearly 20% of accidental house fires in the UK alarm failed to activate. The most common reasons were the smoke failed to reach the detector and because batteries were either missing or defective.

NFCC are encouraging people to:

• Replace alarms every ten years- even if they appear to work when tested
• Fit additional alarms in the rooms used most
• Install interlinked alarms, so when one activates they all do
• Purchased sealed unit alarms so batteries cannot be removed or tampered with

James Bywater NFCC Lead for Home Detection commented: ” NFCC want people to think beyond installing a smoke alarm on the landing and in the hallway and think about the risks in their own home to ensure they have the right detection in the right places. This might mean installing more alarms in your home, particularly in the rooms used most. Home detection technology has advanced and products with sealed batteries or interlinked systems are available and as part of your home safety plan may give you precious minutes to escape if a fire starts.”

As part of the week, we are also asking people to register their white goods and take care with electrical items. Our additional tops tips for staying safe at home are:

• Keep your eyes peeled for signs of dangerous or loose wiring such as scorch marks, hot plugs and sockets, fuses that blow or circuit breakers that trip.
• Clean ovens and grill pans so there isn’t a build-up of fat.
• Clear out the fluff/lint tray on your tumble dryer after every use.
• Check and clean filters on washing machines.
• Clean the rear of fridges and freezers and ensuring the drainage hole is clear.
• Never leave tumble dryers or washing machines on when you go out or go to bed.
• Think about your bedtime routine; turn off or unplug appliances that don’t need to be left on overnight, ensure you have shut doors as this can stop fire from spreading and keep keys for doors and windows in an easily accessible place
• Be careful with laptops don’t leave them charging on beds or sofas.
• Plan an escape route in case a fire does break out in your home.
• Appliances use different amounts of power so check the amps on the plug and make sure you don’t go over 13 amps in a wall socket.
• Keep portable heaters clear of curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes.
• Register your larger electrical appliances at www.registermyappliance.org.uk so you can find out about safety repairs or recalls

If you, or someone you know, would benefit from free fire safety advice at home you can book a Home Fire Safety Visit either on our on our website http://www.northyorksfire.gov.uk/communitysafety/fire-safety-visit or via phone 01609 788545