FIRE chiefs are urging Warwickshire residents to ‘Stay Fire Safe’ this winter.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service (WFRS) is calling on people to take simple steps to protect themselves from accidental fires and carbon monoxide poisoning as they look to keep warm and cut energy use this winter.
The call comes following concerns from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) that the cost of living rise will mean people turn to alternative ways of heating and lighting their homes.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue is supporting NFCC’s Stay Fire Safe campaign to provide advice to help reduce the fire risks in the home.
As part of the campaign, WFRS is encouraging people to complete an online home fire safety check for themselves or their loved ones, which will provide fire safety advice specific to their household.
The home safety check is available at www.ohfsc.co.uk
And for those most at risk of fire, WFRS can visit the home to provide help and advice.
WFRS also advise households using a heating appliance that does not run off electricity to install a carbon monoxide alarm and to ensure they have working smoke alarms on each floor.
The campaign will also share advice on heating and appliance safety, candles and electrical safety.
Warwickshire County Council’s (WCC) spokesperson for community safety and fire, Coun Andy Crump, said: “It’s really important that as we all cope safely with the rise in the cost of living we don’t put ourselves or our loved ones at risk.
“Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service can provide advice on reducing the risk of a devastating accidental fire and will be working to support our community and help keep them safe.”
Further tips from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service are:
• Check any heating appliances are in good working order and not subject to a product recall by checking the Office for Product Safety and Standards website for any alerts or recalls
• Ensure flammable items such as furniture and drying clothes are placed well away from heaters and fires
• Ensure the correct fuel is used for woodburning stoves and open fires – to reduce the risk of toxic fumes, chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning
• Check escape routes, make sure they are clear from clutter and items such as portable heaters are not blocking them.
• If possible don’t skip servicing of boilers and gas appliances by a Gas Safe engineer to prevent gas leaks and CO poisoning.
For more visit https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/firesafety
