If you’re planning #Halloween celebrations this weekend, take care if using candles.
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A study by online training provider High Speed Training has found that 96% of GB residents are not testing their smoke alarms as regularly as recommended, and that less than half have a fire escape plan for their home.
Smoke alarms are one of the most effective defences against fatal fires in the home, with estimates suggesting that you are eight times more likely to die in a fire if your home does not have working smoke alarms.
There should also be one smoke alarm placed on every level of a home, which was the case with 84% of the survey respondents.
In private rented and social rented homes, it is the duty of the landlord to ensure a suitable number of smoke alarms are installed and functional at the beginning of the tenancy, with at least one smoke alarm on each storey where a room is used as living accommodation.
If a fire does break out in your home, having an agreed escape plan is essential to increase your chances of escaping without serious injury. The main key to a good fire escape plan is to include alternate routes to safety in case one exit is blocked or dangerous to use.
Though escape plans are recommended by fire services, the survey found that 55% of people in the GB do not have a fire escape plan in place in their home. The report also found that younger generations are less likely to have a plan in place, with 68% of 18-24 year olds saying they don’t have or don’t know if they have a plan.
In contrast, 45-55 year olds are most likely to have a plan, with 51% stating they have an escape route prepared.
Faulty electrics, including appliances, wiring, and overloaded sockets, cause around 4,000 house fires in England every year. The maximum current allowed to safely flow through the socket (power rating) should be clearly marked on the back or underside of the extension lead. If not, you should refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
High Speed Training’s report found that 77% of respondents were unsure on how to check either the voltage or the amperage levels of a socket.
Closing all of the internal doors in your home is one way to increase your chances of being able to escape from a house fire. A closed door can hold back fire and smoke, and buy you precious time to escape. However, in our survey, we found that 66% of people don’t close their internal doors every night.
Another simple step to add to your routine is to make sure that your exit route is clear of trip hazards. In the disorientating smoke of a house fire, objects on the floor could pose a real risk. Our survey found that a huge 71% of respondents don’t ensure their exit routes are clear every night.
William Cunningham MIFSM, MIIRSM, GradIOSH, DipFD, Director of Safety Group and Fire Safety Consultant, said: “Over the last few years, we have all spent more time at home. It is so important that we make sure that our homes are as safe as possible, minimising the risks of a fire breaking out, and maximising our chances of escaping safely if one does.
“Having spent over 15 years working in fire safety, I can say that the steps included in this report, such as regularly testing properly placed smoke alarms, ensuring you have an escape plan, and not overloading sockets, are simple and practical ways to improve the fire safety of your home.
“The stats that High Speed Training have found show that many households across the UK could be doing more to reduce the risk of a fire breaking out in their homes. There is a real need to raise awareness of what can be done to improve fire safety across the country.
“By following the advice suggested in this report and by fire services across the country, we can decrease the risk of serious and potentially fatal fires occurring in our homes.”
Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training, said: “This report really highlights the need for everyone to have an awareness of how important it is to practise good fire safety at home.
“The steps outlined in this report are practical and accessible, and can easily be adopted by all homes to minimise the risk of a tragic fire.
“We would encourage everyone to assess the current situation in their home, and make any necessary changes to improve the fire safety of their property.”
For more information on the results found in the survey, including more detailed statistics on the importance of night-time routines, fire doors and smoke alarm placement, the full report can be viewed at:
www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/report-fire-safety-in-the-home/
The City of Edinburgh Council is reminding all city landlords and homeowners that every home in the Scotland must comply with new fire safety legislation which will come into force early next year.
By February 2022, all Scottish homes will need to be fitted with interlinked smoke and heat alarms which talk to each other – so when one goes off, they all go off.
As Edinburgh’s biggest social landlord, the Council is currently working with its contractors to fit new interlinked smoke and heat alarms, so that every one of its 20,000 Council-owned homes meets the new legislation and is made even more fire safe.
When this work’s done in each property, the electrical contractors will also undertake an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) if one has not been carried out recently.
Older residents in particular are being asked to be aware of the new fire safety legislation.
The Council’s Older People’s Champion, Councillor Catherine Fullerton, is calling on everyone who manages properties for older tenants in Edinburgh to make sure all new standards are met so everyone has the best chance of getting to safety in the event of a fire.
Cllr Fullerton said: “It’s absolutely vital that landlords and property management companies, particularly those that have a responsibility for older people within our communities, understand the new fire safety rules coming into force and act on them as quickly as possible. All properties, without exception, must be fitted with the new interlinking alarms, heat alarms and, where required, carbon monoxide detectors too.
“I’d also urge older people or people with older relatives who own their own homes to check out the Scottish Government’s dedicated ‘Fire safety for homeowners’ webpages for more details and, if necessary, to help them to get their homes fitted with the right kind of alarms. There is also clear guidance for private and social tenants as well as new build homes.
“I’d encourage everyone to be sure they are using a Trusted Tradesperson to change their fire alarms to meet the new law – please don’t run the risk of having faulty or non-compliant ones fitted.”
A ‘Trusted Trader’ in Edinburgh can be found by using this website:
www.trustedtrader.scot/Edinburgh/
If an older person is receiving Universal Credit, Edinburgh Care and Repair Service has been awarded funding from the Scottish Government to provide this service for free. If not, there will be a reasonable charge.
You can telephone for further advice on 0131 337 111 or email reception@cre.scot.
Lockdown could lead to a spike in house fires this winter, with elderly people being particularly vulnerable, according to safety experts.
Health and safety experts at CE Safety have warned that the UK’s lockdown has led to an increased risk of house fires as people spend more time indoors.
In the period March 2019 to March 2020, 243 people died in fire related incidents in England, and 82% of these were in people’s homes.
Those over the age of 65 are particularly vulnerable of suffering a fire in their home, and the risk doubles for those over 80.
Winter sees an increase in house fires due to candles, Christmas decs, and Brits spending more time indoors.
The Home Office’s online Incident Recording System (IRS) report that the biggest culprits of igniting accidental fires within the home are cooking appliances, accounting for 48% of all fires, followed by smokers’ materials and other household appliances.
Now experts from CE Safety have warned families to be wary of the dangers, look out for their elderly relatives and make sure their electrical appliances are safe.
A spokesperson for CE Safety said “The coronavirus pandemic has brought the importance of safeguarding our fellow humans into sharp focus.
“As we head into a winter that could be awash with isolation and continued lockdown for some time yet, taking care of our families, friends and neighbours will remain at the forefront of our concerns.
“And the very real threat of accidental fires in the home are ever-more alarming as this year’s Home Office figures reveal that someone is more likely to die in a fire in their home if they’re elderly, and if they live alone.”
Here’s how to help the most vulnerable people avoid risk of fire in their homes. A short conversation might be all you need to have with an elderly or vulnerable person in order to get the fire safety message across and find out how at-risk they are.
Have they got a smoke alarm?
This should be never overlooked, and Home Office statisticians have worked out that you are eight times more likely to die in a house fire if you do not have a working smoke alarm. So a smoke alarm should be working properly and be within range of the places a fire is most likely to start.
Check how they’re cooking
Impart general advice about cooking and fires within the kitchen. Help them understand the importance of double-checking if all appliances are off.
It’s also vital to keep flammables away from surfaces and open flames, and to throw away old oil in pans and crumbs in the toaster.
Do they own dangerous appliances?
Find out the make and models of their main household appliances and do a quick check online into whether they are the type that have had problems in recent years. Recently Whirlpool hit the headlines for faulty washing machines. A quick online check of the serial number can put minds at ease.
How are they living?
Have the conversation or around how they are living, and whether they could be any potential fire risks in their home. How is the wear and tear of their wiring? Are they keeping areas around plugs and electrics clutter-free? Even a build-up of dust close to sockets and heaters can ignite a flame.
Smoking
Smoking and ashtrays are the biggest killer from fires in the home. So we all need to stress the importance of being ultra-careful with smoking materials around the home. Watch out and make sure cigarettes are extinguished properly and talk to them about never smoking in bed.
Hidden dangers
It might be surprising to people that fires can start in the most obscure ways – from the sun having a magnifying effect from glass ornaments or vases on windowsill onto curtains or carpets, igniting a flame.
Hair styling tools being left on are also a danger, as is overloading sockets, leaving appliances running during the night or electric blankets being on for too long. It might seem obvious but it’s not to everyone.
The three Cs: Candles, chimneys and Christmas lights
We should all be reminded to be careful with the things we bring out exclusively in winter, when it’s cold outside. There’s very little ventilation and everyone tends to be indoors more. Candles, chimneys and Christmas lights are responsible for fires in homes every year, so let people know how important it is to be careful with them.
Plan an escape route
In the event the worst does happen, then there is far more likelihood of having a better outcome if a plan has been put in place beforehand. Knowing where to get help, who to contact, how to respond, what to do and how to keep calm will give everyone a little more peace of mind too.
For more information on how to help keep vulnerable people safe during an especially isolated autumn and winter, please visit https://cesafety.co.uk/the-elderly-and-vulnerable-need-you-this-winter-a-guide-to-avoiding-fires-in-the-home/
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is updating its advice to business owners and dutyholders as Scotland moves into phase three of its exit from Lockdown.
As Scotland sees an increase in ‘staycation’ holidays throughout the summer months, SFRS is urging holiday letting businesses and duty holders to ensure that premises being used as rental accommodation meet the appropriate level of fire safety provisions.
Scotland’s national fire service is urging business owners and duty holders to consider the following steps:
Alasdair Perry, SFRS Deputy Assistant Chief Officer for Prevention and Protection, said: “We appreciate that businesses and dutyholders who run holiday rentals will be excited to re-open and welcome people back to their facilities in the coming weeks and months.
“As demand for accommodation will undoubtedly increase, we are acutely aware that this could place pressure on business owners – however safety from fire must remain high on their priorities.
“We are therefore asking anyone who rents out a property as a holiday let to ensure that a thorough fire safety assessment has been carried out to determine if any action is required, before welcoming any guests to your facility.
“It is also important that those visiting are kept safe and aware of what fire safety measures are in place, and they know what to do should a fire occur during their stay.
“It goes without saying that these recent months have been trying times for Scotland as a whole, but we cannot become complacent and must continue to work together to drive down the risk of fire across the country.”
Recently, SFRS has also highlighted safety and awareness guidance to ensure that social distancing and protection measures within businesses do not impact on overall fire safety; and warned against the risk posed by excess stock and packaging.
As more and more retail outlets, public areas and workplaces continue to re-open, businesses and duty-holders are advised to ensure stock rooms and fire exits do not become blocked by surplus materials to allow for safe and easy passage in the event of an emergency or fire drill.
Premises owners and operators are also asked to look at the possibility of increasing waste collections to avoid overspill, and to ensure goods are stored safely and appropriately.
DACO Perry added: “We’ve already seen some businesses and buildings reopen, but we understand for many this will be the first time they will have opened their doors for quite some time.
“We appreciate that many workplaces will have taken robust measures to protect staff and members of the public through means such as the installation of plastic screening.
“However, we would also ask that businesses consider what impact any changes or installations could have on fire detection or fire safety measures.
“For example, it is possible that screening installation, along with any increased loading or materials in the premises, may obstruct automatic fire detection apparatus such as smoke alarms.
“We would also remind people to manage their premises for excess stock and waste and to consider if this would increase the risk of a fire, or hamper fire safety measures and escape plans.
“We would also remind both staff and members of the public that one-way systems in place, installed to manage social distancing, need not be followed in the event of any emergency. If fire occurs, occupants of buildings should continue to leave by the nearest exit or emergency route as quickly as possible.”
For more advice on fire risk assessments or to speak with an officer, you can find contact details for your local SFRS fire safety enforcement office here.
The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service is asking businesses and duty holders to carry out a fire risk assessment of their site as soon as possible.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is urging business owners and dutyholders to ensure that social distancing and protection measures do not impact on fire safety as lockdown restrictions begin to ease.
The national service is encouraging those who operate public premises to check that buildings and those who work within them or who use them remain protected from fire risk.
For example, measures to keep people safe from the spread of COVID-19 – such as plastic screens to support social distancing – could hamper fire safety measures including sprinklers or smoke detectors.
And while it is important to observe the two-metre social distancing rule wherever possible during the coronavirus pandemic, it is vital that people always exit a building as quickly and safely as possible, using all available means of escape in the event of a fire.
Any external queuing systems in place outside of businesses should also be designed to ensure they do not hamper the ability of emergency services to access a building when required to do so – quickly.
Holiday rental businesses and those who operate a holiday rental business should also take all available steps to make their premises safe from fire.
A thorough fire safety risk assessment should be carried out as soon as possible by all businesses and dutyholders, says Alasdair Perry, the SFRS Deputy Assistant Chief Officer for Prevention and Protection.
“We know that businesses owners and dutyholders will naturally be both excited and anxious about preparations to reopening for the first time in several weeks’ time,” he commented.
“During the last few months many of these workplaces will have understandably and correctly taken measures to protect staff from the spread of COVID-19.
“We are therefore urging all dutyholders to consider if these measures, including the installation of plastic screening, could have any impact on their fire detection or fire safety measures.
“These are important factors to consider and that is why we are urging people to review fire safety measures to ensure staff, communities and assets remain safe from fire.
DACO Perry continued: “We realise social distancing is in place, but in the event of a fire alarm activation or emergency, the message remains to exit the building safely, quickly and by the nearest available exit.
“Evacuation strategies affected by staffing levels should be revisited to ensure they are still robust and adequate staff numbers exist to support any evacuation of people from a building, including residents
“These are challenging times for us all, but it’s vital to consider the risk and devastating effects fire can have at all times.
“We are here to help keep you safe, but you can help us by taking steps to ensure the risk of fire within your business or premises is reduced and you comply with fire law.”
The SFRS is also keen to reach out to those who operate holiday rentals or receive paying guests where demand may significantly increase due to restrictions on foreign travel.
DACO Perry explained: “With the threat of COVID-19 ongoing, there’s a strong possibility more people will choose to holiday at home this year.
“We’re therefore asking those who rent out properties to ensure their fire safety risk assessment is up to date, that those visiting are kept safe and aware of what fire safety measures are in place and they know what to do in the event of a fire.
“These have been trying times for the whole country, but we cannot become complacent and must continue to work together to drive down the risk of fire across Scotland.”
For more advice on fire risk assessment or to speak with an officer, contact the SFRS via /your-safety/for-businesses/contact-your-local-fire-safety-enforcement-office.aspx
Further guidance is available from the Fire Industry Association https://www.fia.uk.com/about-us.html
The safety of people living in high-rise flats across Scotland is the focus of a public consultation launched by the Scottish Government. Continue reading High-rise fire safety consultation launched
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FIREFIGHTERS have issued a Chimney Fire Safety Week message urging householders to help prevent potentially devastating fires. Continue reading Swept away: advice for Chimney Fire Safety Week
