Fire Safety and Prevention (Safe and Well)

Assist

The person has requested some further information on Fire Safety advice or a Safe and Well visit from their Local Fire and Rescue Service

• Explain that ‘Safe and Well’ is an extended Home Fire Safety visit that is tailored to an individual’s needs. The visit covers Fire Safety along with advice and support to promote good health and wellbeing.

Your local Fire and Rescue Service will prioritise Safe and Well visits to the most vulnerable people in our community. The following is a list of vulnerabilities that may indicate a person is at more risk of harm from fire:

• The person doesn’t have working smoke detectors in the property
• The person lives alone
• There is someone living in the home aged 65 or over
• There is a smoker living in the property
• There is someone in the home that might not hear the smoke alarm sounding, either awake or asleep
• There is someone living in the home that would experience difficulties escaping in the event of a fire due to physical disability or health condition
• There is someone living in the home that would be at an increased risk of fire because of memory issues, poor mental health or a learning disability
• There is someone living in the home that is currently taking medication that makes them feel sleepy during the day
• There is a someone living in the home that uses paraffin-based creams.
• There is someone living in the home that uses the following; Home Oxygen equipment or an Airflow pressure relieving mattress and cushions.
• Hoarding or storage of large amounts of combustible materials that could potentially impede an escape (such as items in hallways and on staircases causing obstructions or trip hazards)

The above is not an exhausted list but if the answer is YES to any of the above then please encourage the person to enquire about a Safe and Well Visit - *(See ACT Section)

The person has requested some further information on fire avoidance in the home

• Smoke Alarms: Remind about the importance of Smoke alarms
  • Make testing part of your household routine
  • Test by pressing the button until the alarm sounds
  • If your smoke alarm(s) start to beep on a regular basis, you will need to replace the batteries/alarm

• In the Kitchen: State that around half of all home fires are caused by cooking accidents:
  • Do not leave cooking unattended and take pans off heat, switch off if you leave the kitchen.
  • Take care if wearing loose clothing and keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker/hob.
  • When deep fat frying ensure food is dry before placing in hot oil and never throw water onto a deep fat fryer or chip pan.
  • If a pan catches fire – turn heat off if possible. Get out, close the door behind you, leave the house and call 999. Do not try to extinguish the fire with water or a tea towel
• Other white goods in the kitchen/utility areas
  • Don't leave the washing machine or dishwasher running overnight or while you are out
  • For tumble dryers:
    • Remove the lint from the trap after every load of clothes dried
    • Do not cover the vent or any other opening
    • Ensure the vent pipe is free of kinks and is not crushed in any way
• Cigarettes – Highlight the importance of safe disposal
  • Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished
  • Only use proper ashtrays and never place directly into a bin
  • Never smoke in bed and avoid smoking when taking medication that causes drowsiness, drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs.
  • Keep cigarettes and matches away and out of reach of children
• Electrics – Highlight the importance of not overloading sockets
  • Try to keep to one plug per socket
  • Check and replace old or frayed electrical cables
  • Keep portable heaters away from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes
  • Always switch off before going to bed
  • Never leave electric hair straighteners on carpets and beds
  • Keep laptops on firm surface and not on sofas, beds or carpets
• Candles – Highlight the importance of securing candles in proper holders
  • Keep away from curtains, soft furnishings and other flammable materials
  • Never leave children or pets alone in a room when candles are lit. Always extinguish candles before leaving the room