Fit a smoke alarm in your homes
Without a working smoke alarm the consequences of fire could be much worse, both in terms of damage to property and potential deaths and injuries.
During the period 2004/05 to 2006/07, the number of accidental dwelling fires where there have been injuries has decreased by 30 percent because smoke alarms provide an early warning alert to residents.
Firefighters at Cleveland Fire Brigade have fitted approximately 95,000 smoke alarms in almost 71,000 properties since the Home Fire Safety Check scheme started in 2003. The Brigade's aim is to carry out a check in every home in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Stockton and Redcar to equip them with smoke alarms as well as reduce the risk of fire and help make an escape plan.
Latest figures show that from April 2006 to March 2007 there were 272 accidental house fires throughout Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar and Hartlepool and at 91 of them there was not a working smoke alarm.
Mark Whelan, Director of Operations and Community Safety said: "I would urge anyone who doesn't have a smoke alarm to get them fitted immediately. Those who don't have working smoke alarms are putting their lives at risk."
"We recommend one on each floor in your home, however if you contact us on 01429 874063 we will come and supply and fit them free of charge to ensure they are in the best place. We will also give vital safety tips."
"A smoke alarm will detect smoke given off from a fire which is often the biggest killer. It will alert you to a fire in your home to give you time to get out through your planned route."
"Once you have smoke alarms fitted it is also essential to make sure they are working by pressing the button because if the batteries have run out or they have been taken out it is rendered useless."
"We haven't had an accidental fire death in our Brigade area in over 18 months and hopefully through educating people on preventative measures and making sure every home has a working smoke alarm this will continue. "
"We work with partners to gain contact with as many people in the community as possible to ensure as many people as we can stay safe from fire. With help from other agencies we are able to gain access to a lot of people, many of whom are vulnerable."
For a FREE Home Fire Safety Check including FREE smoke alarms please call 01429 874063.
Source: http://www.the-circuit.co.uk/pages/news1.html
Date: 10 August 2007
Posted: 15/08/2007
