Tag: Make the Call campaign

Scottish Fire and Rescue: Stay safe from fire this festive season

THE public is being reminded to stay safe from fire this winter and support firefighters to identify vulnerable friends, family or neighbours who may need assistance.

An increased use of heating and electricity over the colder months combined with festive lights, trees, decorations, and candles can heighten the risk of a fire potentially taking hold.

It is also important that those who are over 50 and smoke and also live alone, have mobility issues or use oxygen, or those who are living with addiction are supported by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to reduce the risk.

The Service’s Make The Call campaign was launched earlier this year and appealed directly to the family, friends, and neighbours of those who are most at risk of fire to get in touch with SFRS on their behalf to request a free Home Fire Safety Visit by calling 0800 0731 999.

Latest figures show that 446 homes in Scotland were affected by accidental fires between December 9, 2019 and January 13, 2020 which sadly claimed the lives of six people and resulted in 56 casualties. 49 of those were in Edinburgh.

The statistics further highlight that of the 56 casualties, a total of 19 were aged 60 or over which is almost 34 per cent.

Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Ali Perry is the SFRS’ Head of Prevention and Protection. He said: “Every year we see an increase in the risk of fire in the home during the festive season and we want to support families across Scotland to stay safe at this time of year.

“One death because of a fire in the home is one too many and the aftermath of a fire can be absolutely devastating for those affected.

“That’s why we are reaching out to every community in Scotland this winter – please follow our advice and guidance to help us keep you safe and help us reach the most vulnerable and elderly people in our society.”

During a Home Fire Safety Visit SFRS staff will identify fire hazards and risks in the home, help plan escape routes and provide information about smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide alarms. All visits are carried out in-line with the local Scottish Government Covid-19 tier guidance and regulations.

DACO Perry says cooking and alcohol intake is one of the main causes of fire.

An overall increase in electricity use alongside the traditional use of candles, Christmas decorations and lights and portable heaters or traditional fuel burning fireplaces has also been linked to a heightened risk of fire.

Communities are being asked to follow SFRS’s safety advice which is widely available on the Service’s website or social media channels under the hashtag #SaferWinter2020

DACO Perry advised: “By just taking a few essential steps you can massively reduce the risk of a fire in your house. If you can’t get online, then get in touch with us through your local station who will be more than happy to offer help and guidance.

“We want everyone to remember this Christmas and New Year for all the right reasons. Taking a few minutes to look at our advice and identify the hazards in your own home can help keep you and those around you safe.”


Community Safety Minister Ash Denham said: “Please keep yourself and others safe over the festive period and follow the advice of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and act responsibly.

“I would urge people to Make the Call to SFRS if they think someone is particularly vulnerable and requires support to stay safe from fire within the home.” 

A free online home fire safety quiz is also available to everyone in Scotland.

The ‘Fire Safety in the Home – Self Assessment’ survey asks a series of simple questions and then automatically generates a home fire safety report unique to that household, including advice on how to rectify risks and problems.

To use the interactive tool, visit: https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/online-hfsv-checker.aspx

Visit https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/make-the-call.aspx for more information on SFRS’ Make the Call campaign.

For more advice on how to keep yourself and your home safe from fire during the festive season visit https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/your-safety/festive-safety.aspx

Scottish Fire Service launches #MakeTheCall campaign

SCOTLAND’s firefighters are calling on communities to help stop preventable deaths in house fires – by making a five-minute phone call.

Make the Call is a hard-hitting appeal to carers, family, friends and of those who are at risk of serious injury or even death because of an accidental fire in their home.

The latest statistics show that more than 20 people who are over the age of 50, smoke and either have mobility issues, live alone, or use medical oxygen have already been injured, some seriously, by such fires between January 1 and April 30 this year.

Tragically, 12 of those people sadly passed away.

SFRS is now appealing to communities across Scotland to help save a life and consider home fire safety when checking in on vulnerable neighbours, patients, friends and family members during lockdown and to put them in touch with SFRS wherever possible using the free Home Fire Safety Visit phoneline.

Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens said: “These tragic deaths, and the injuries suffered by others, are often completely preventable.

“We investigate every fire that we attend, to understand, how the fire started and developed, how could it have been avoided and could it have been prevented entirely.

“The answer is all too often yes, that fire could have been prevented, and that person would have avoided injury or sadly, death.

“But the greatest challenge for us has always been reaching the most vulnerable people in our communities to make sure they have the life-saving advice and support that they need.

“That is why we are issuing a nationwide call to action – if you know someone who is over 50 and smokes and lives alone, has mobility issues or uses medical oxygen– we need you to help us reach them.

“Make the call to us and we can ensure that the people who may be at risk get the fire safety advice and support that they need to help them stay safe in the home during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.”

The national campaign has been launched following the sharp increase in the number of people who have passed away following fires in homes across Scotland.

Many of the people who passed away were not known to the SFRS which can offer guidance, advice and free Home Fire Safety Visits to carers and family or directly to those at greatest risk.

Advice or a visit can be sought through the national phoneline – a five-minute process which will see the caller receive a return call from their local fire station to offer advice, or where appropriate, a physical visit.

ACO Stevens said: “There has been a rise in the number of people who have died because of fires in the home, and while such increases are not unprecedented, we must reach out now to prevent further tragedy.

“We are clearly seeing that the people who are at greatest risk may already be living alone, isolated and we are not in touch with them.

“During lockdown there is a real opportunity to change that, as so many people are already reaching out to neighbours and family to check on them and ensure they have shopping and supplies – particularly if that person is shielding.

“We know that they are at risk, but we don’t know who they are or where they are. You might, however, and you can put us in touch with them.

“If you are a carer or family then you can refer them to us on their behalf – if you are a neighbour or a concerned friend you must ask them for their consent before you refer them.

“Call them, check in with them if you can and adhere to social distancing guidelines, and encourage them to seek our advice or ask if you can call us on their behalf – our staff are trained and equipped to offer the best advice possible.”

SFRS had suspended its free Home Fire Safety Visit initiative during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic to support virus suppression, and protect communities and staff from the risk of infection.

However, following the launch of the Make the Call campaign, the service will carry out limited and targeted visits to those most at risk from fire in their homes.

ACO Stevens said: “We take the safety of our communities and crews very seriously, and we have taken every precaution to ensure that our staff use the correct personal protective equipment to visit homes and apply appropriate guidelines and procedures to ensure that they and the members of the public in the house adhere to social distancing guidelines

“Each visit will be subject to a risk assessment first, and where a visit is not possible, due to coronavirus guidelines or other reasons, we can offer tailored advice over the phone and guide a carer, family member or the person themselves through a virtual home fire safety visit.

“But to do that, we need you to Make the Call, and put them in touch with us.”

Anyone who wants to book a free Home Fire Safety Visit can call 0800 731 999 or text ‘fire’ to 80800.