Free Home Fire Safety Checks

posted: 17/01/2007

The Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service are offering to undertake a free Home Fire Safety Check to members of the North Staffs Landlord Accreditation Scheme.

Landlords are able to assist the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service to achieve their objective of visiting all rented homes in Staffordshire. These visits will allow fire crews to spend valuable time talking to tenants about the dangers of fire in the home and how to reduce these risks.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service started a community protection programme in 2001 that involved fire service personnel visiting vulnerable households across Staffordshire to carry out home fire safety checks.

The Home Fire Safety Checks involve fire crews talking to occupants about the dangers of fire in the home and the devastating consequences. The advice occupants receive during a home fire safety check visit places emphasis on the following fire safety issues:
• Kitchen safety
• Safety of smoking materials
• Smoke alarm ownership
• Fire escape plan
During the visits, fire crews will supply and fit long-life smoke alarms, fire guards (where there are families with young children) as well as other home safety equipment - free of charge. In addition, general household safety advice is offered and a safety leaflet left with the individual.

The latest fire statistics for the UK show that there were 348 deaths and 11,500 non-fatal casualties as a result of dwelling fires. Statistics also show that households with the following housing characteristics are most at risk of experiencing a domestic fire:
• Dissatisfied with current accommodation
• Dissatisfied with the local area
• In rented accommodation
• In a converted flat or maisonette
The focus now is on the prevention and reduction of risk to continue to reduce these statistics.

Since the campaign started there has been a significant reduction in fire deaths and injuries across Staffordshire. However, the aim of the Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is to visit all homes to deliver the fire safety message. In April 2004 a more effective targeting strategy was introduced, which identified the following groups as most at risk from fire:
• People in rented accommodation
• Lone pensioners
• Single parents
• People suffering limited long-term illness

The fire service would therefore like to liaise with Accredited Landlords and their tenants to increase awareness in the private rented sector.

If you would like an officer from your local fire station to speak to either yourself or your tenants regarding these issues please call a Risk Reduction Officer on the following telephone numbers: for Stoke on Trent area 01785 898905
Newcastle/Kidsgrove area 01785 898541
Staffs Moorlands area 01785 898927
Stafford area 01785 898554

Please note. The Free Home Safety Checks offered are to give advice to occupants on fire safety in the home and should not be confused with the Risk Assessments required under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) or the fire safety requirements for houses in multiple occupation under the Housing Act 2004.