During a Home Fire Risk Safety Check a firefighter visits a person's home to discuss fire safety and to alert them to the risks of a potential fire. For example if the person knows how to escape if fire were to break out or knows where window locks are. The firefighter checks that electric sockets are not overloaded, and asks the person about their fire and cooking habits such as using candles and chip pans. They will also check if the person has a working smoke alarm and, if not, fit one free of charge.
The report 'Evaluation of the Home Fire Risk Check and Fire Prevention Grant Programmes' shows that four years since the Government's £36 million grants to Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) for fire safety, home fire risks safety checks each year have:
- saved 53 lives - a fall of 57 per cent in lives lost through fires;
- reduced the number of people injured by fire in the home by 888; and
- reduced the incidents of fires in people's homes by 13,670.
During a visit to West Yorkshire FRS in Leeds, Fire Minister Sadiq Khan said:
"I congratulate England's Fire and Rescue Authorities for this achievement. Visiting nearly 2 million homes over four years and installing over 2.4 million new smoke alarms has prevented tragedy and heart break for many families.
"This has been a ground breaking initiative, reaching vulnerable groups at risk of fire such as the elderly, single parents and smokers, significantly reducing fire deaths and injuries. But no one must be complacent. The FRS are not, and are going to continue with these checks. So I say to the public, ask your fire service for a home fire safety check, get a smoke alarm and check it works every week."
The report features examples of innovative work by Cheshire, Cleveland, Greater Manchester, Kent, Merseyside, Nottingham and South Yorkshire FRS. The work often involves joining up with other agencies such as Age Concern, the local health service, supermarkets and youth services.
The fire prevention work has resulted in not only a reduction in tragic loss of life and injuries but also shows an economic benefit - reducing loss of buildings, contents and disruption to normal life - estimated at between £926 million and £1,943 million.
To book a home fire risk check contact your local FRS or book through Fire Gateway website
