Fire

Get Smart, Get Equipped, Get Out!

Friendly advice from Dorset Fire & Rescue Service

Last year Dorset Fire and Rescue Service attended many accidental dwelling fires, which could have been avoided if people were more aware of basic fire safety in their homes. Being aware of the dangers of fire and taking preventative measures, could help save the lives of you and your family. Your home is full of potential fire risks, if you are aware of these risks you can ensure that you GET SMART and reduce the chances of a fire starting in your home. The list below highlights some of the most common causes of house fires at this time of the year.

Smoking. Always use proper ashtrays and ensure that cigarettes are put out properly! Remember it easy to be careless when you are tried or if you have been drinking.
Candles. Always use a proper holder, don’t leave them unattended, ensure you put them out completely at night.
Lights. Use common sense and keep lights away from combustible items. Like curtains and other fabrics.
Cooking – (including chip pans and deep-frying). Never leave saucepan on the heat if you are called away, keep the top of your cooker clean, keep toasters away from curtains.
Heaters and fires. Always position heaters at least one metre(3 feet) from combustibles such as furniture, curtains or clothing. Always use a fire guard for open fires.
Overloaded or faulty electrics. Be careful not to over load sockets use the correct adaptor and do not plug an adaptor into adaptor. Always turn off electrical appliance’s at the wall, and never mend cable with insulating tape.

Fires strike when you least expect them, often during the night so ensure that you and your loved ones have an escape plan of what to do and where to go in the event of a fire. Be aware fire spread quickly but it is smoke that is the real killer. If you are asleep when a fire starts and you don't have an alarm to wake you, your chances of surviving are zero. GET EQUIPED, Smoke alarms are a proven life saver, Dorset Fire & Rescue Service can offer a free home safe check to priority groups, if you have no smoke detectors we will install free of charge 10 year smoke alarms, we will also test existing alarm and replace them if necessary. There are also alarms with strobe lighting and vibrating pads for people who are hard of hearing or deaf.

The home safety checks are carried out for free of charge and are available to the elderly, single parents, people with mobility, sight or hear difficulties, any house that has a smoker, occupiers on benefits or living in rented or shared accommodation. These assessments will be carried out by our crews and if replacement detectors are required they will be fitted free of charge.

Finally if you are unfortunate to experience a fire in your home, GET OUT, CALL US OUT, STAY OUT

For further fire safety information visit www.dorsetfire.co.uk or if you would like to know more about free home fire safety checks please ring (01202 538282).