Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – Page 24 – The NEN

Cook your chips safely – fit a heat alarm in your kitchen

Did you know that next week is National Chip Week? No, me neither – but here’s some timely advice from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service:

Cook your chips safely – fit a heat alarm in your kitchen

Next week is National Chip Week, a celebration of one of Britain’s traditional treats, and the top message from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is to cook your chips safely – fit a heat alarm in your kitchen.

Cooking is the number one cause of house fires. Last year there were 4690 accidental house fires in Scotland and 2790, or 59% of them, were cooking related. This resulted in 583 people being injured.

You can reduce your chances of being injured by fitting a heat alarm in your kitchen. These are specially designed for the kitchen and are not activated by smoke, preventing false alarms. A heat alarm will alert you to a cooking fire more quickly than a smoke alarm and give you the best chance to get out fast. Heat alarms are available from DIY stores or online from around £20.

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, Director of Prevention and Protection, SFRS said: “Deep frying with chip pans poses an ongoing safety risk so we want to make sure everyone cooks safely and knows the associated dangers. It only takes a moment of distraction, or falling asleep, for a fire in the home to start. At SFRS we’re recommending:

· Fitting a heat alarm in your kitchen.

· Making sure you have working smoke alarms in your home.

· If you’re tired, have been drinking or have taken drugs, don’t cook. You’ll be less alert to the signs of fire and more likely to fall asleep. Preparing cold food or opting for a takeaway would be much safer options.

· If you want chips at the end of a night out, buy them in a chip shop on the way home, rather than attempting to cook when you get home.

“The best way to avoid having a chip pan fire is to use a thermostat controlled, electric deep fat fryer instead. The safety cut-out (thermostat) controls the temperature of the fat or oil. Oven or microwave chips are also safer alternatives to chip pans.

“If you do use a chip pan and it catches fire, never try to move the pan and never throw water over the pan as it will react violently with the hot oil. If the fire is well developed get out, stay out, dial 999! If the fire is in its early stages, and if it is safe to do so, turn off the heat. Then get out of the kitchen, close the door and call the SFRS.”

During National Chip Week, just like every other week of the year, SFRS offers the public a FREE Home Fire Safety Visit. Call to book one for you, or someone you know who is at risk from fire, on 0800 0731 999, text ‘fire’ to 80800 or visit us online at www.firescotland.gov.uk

recipe_for_safe_cooking

SFRS recently ran a TV, radio and press advert featuring Station Manager Scott Kennedy recounting a fatal chip pan fire he attended. View the advert here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCfvMMUpeFM&feature=player_embedded

And for more information on National Chip Week, visit

http://www.chips.lovepotatoes.co.uk/

Craigie crew tackles fire safety programme

‘One of the very best groups I have worked with’ – Ally Paterson

Eight pupils from Craigroyston Community High School took part in a Scottish Fire & Rescue Service youth engagement programme ran at Crewe Toll fire station this week. The students learned teamwork, communications and basic fire fighting skills during their training course, which they displayed to friends and family in an impressive exhibition at the local fire station yesterday.

Fire Service Youth Engagement Co-ordinator Ally Paterson explained “Working with young people means that the fire service can raise awareness and challenge attitudes to fire safety and other forms of anti-social behaviour.

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Youth engagement project engages with young people aged between 12-17 in order to work towards reducing hoax calls and secondary fires and to increase awareness of local community safety issues.

“We encourage positive social behaviour by using a combination of intensive group work and fire service activities with a view to raising self-esteem, confidence, personal motivation and increase problem solving skills.

“The programme allows participants to experience basic fire service tasks such as team building, first aid, hose running and ladder climbing to develop physical stamina. All activities incorporate a fire safety message and endorse a strong group work component.’’

Ally was particularly impressed with the Craigroyston recruits. “This was a really good group – I can honestly say that this has been one of the very best groups I have worked with in four years of doing this job. You could see them progress over the course of the week – I was really impressed with their attitude, they were keen to learn and a real pleasure to work with.”

On the final day of the programme, the young people – Josh Reid, Brent Blackie, Dylan Williamson, Liam Henderson, Arnis Zironkina, Lee Stevensdale, Josh Hardwick and Kieran Blackie – gave a practical presentation to demonstrate the skills they’d learned over the course of the week, and following the display the students were presented with certificates to recognise their achievements.

Brent, Dylan and Kieran have also been nominated to progress on to SFRS’ Phoenix programme for further training.

Speaking after the presentations, sixteen year old Kieran Blackie, who’s from Muirhouse, said: “It’s been an absolutely fantastic week, just amazing. We’ve been learning the skills the firefighters learn in their thirteen weeks basic training – but we’ve had to do it in four and a half days! It was a lot to take in but we’ve all definitely learned a lot, especially about the importance of teamwork and working together.”

Josh Hardwick also enjoyed the training. “I loved the whole week, every part of it, but if I had to choose the best bits I really enjoyed the session were we worked in a small, dark, confined space to locate and rescue a casualty – that might not be everybody’s idea of fun, but I really enjoyed it! The high ladder work was great too, although not ideal if you don’t have a head for heights. I think the week taught us just how hard the firefighters work and how dangerous their job can be.”

Congratulations to the Craigie crew!

More pictures on our Facebook page

Kitchen fires: take care and pay attention!

The kitchen can be the most dangerous place in the home

Two separate kitchen fires in Edinburgh last weekend have prompted a reminder from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: take care and pay attention when you’re cooking.

A man was treated in hospital for burns to his arms and face following a small kitchen fire at Adams Well on Saturday night, and crews were also called to a grill pan fire at Lady Menzies Place on Sunday evening. Two casualties were led to safety by firefighters, one of whom needed treatment from the Scottish Ambulance Service for smoke inhalation.

Group Manager for Prevention and Protection in Edinburgh, Steve Gourlay said: “The kitchen can be the most dangerous place in the home. Fire can cause damage not just to your property, but more seriously can put family at risk.

“Many kitchen fires happen when people are not paying attention, leave things unattended or from the careless use of electrical appliances but there are several things you can do to prevent fires in the kitchen.

“Don’t leave pans unattended. Take them off the heat if you have to leave the room. Fire starts when your attention stops. When you have finished cooking, make sure the cooker or oven is turned off. Don’t clutter your work surfaces with combustible materials.

“SFRS crews routinely conduct free home fire safety visits to help householders identify risks and take the simple steps needed to reduce the chance of fires. If you or someone you know could benefit from our free home fire safety visit then get in touch.”

Anyone can join Scotland’s fight against fire and register for a free home fire safety visit by calling 0800 0731 999, texting ‘check’ to 61611, filling out a form at www.firescotland.gov.uk or by contacting their local fire station.

For more information on keeping safe in the kitchen visit /your-safety/for-householders/kitchen-safety.aspx

Woman dies in Western General fire

Investigations are ongoing following the death of an elderly woman patient after a fire at the Western General’s Royal Victoria building early this morning.

Firefighters from Crewe Toll, Tollcross and McDonald Road fire stations attended a ‘small fire’ in a ground floor ward at 2.30am.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the ward, dealt with the fire and an injured female patient while colleagues assisted hospital staff with the evacuation of 14 other patients from the affected ward to another area within the hospital.

The female patient, who was 75, died at the scene and SFRS Fire Investigation Unit officers are now working with Police Scotland officers to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Investigations are at an early stage following the death of a 75-year-old woman at the Western General Hospital. Officers attended after reports were received of a small fire in a room in one of the wards.”

No one else was injutred in the incident, which was brought under control at 4:45.

West Pilton stair fire prompts safety warning: keep it clear

Six rescued from West Pilton Rise stair fire

Fire chiefs have urged residents not to leave rubbish or bins in common stairwells in tenement blocks. The appeal follows a fire in a stair in West Pilton Rise on Monday morning.

Sixteen firefighters from Crewe Toll, Tollcross and McDonald Road fire stations attended the fire, which was also attended by Scottish Ambulance Service and Police Scotland personnel. Police Scotland also set up a Casualty Care Centre in West Pilton Park during the incident.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly extinguished the fire using a high pressure hosereel. Six people were rescued from the building by firefighters, two of whom were taken to hospital for a precautionary examination suffering from smoke inhalation. Both were later released.

“Discarded items of furniture and rubbish can produce large amounts of toxic smoke and also impede access for emergency responders. In Edinburgh, roughly 100 deliberate property fires occur every year with many of these involving combustibles in stairwells and the casualties and damage caused are preventable and we need to reduce them.

“This fire could have had far worse consequences and the impact for the families affected is likely to be significant. Any incident like this, where we have to rescue children and adults from windows, using ladders due to thick black smoke, always has the potential to have a tragic ending. Fortunately, on this occasion, those taken to hospital were for precautionary checks only but again this is not always the case.

“You can reduce the risk of fire for yourself and your neighbours by keeping common stairs clear and free from obstruction and making sure main doors are kept locked. Steps should be taken to ensure the door entry/intercom system is working.

“Local firecrews revisited the location yesterday to provide vital advice, reassurance and a home fire safety visit for those who need it.”

He added: “I would like to stress the importance of having a working smoke alarm. Every household should have working smoke alarm and test them every week. We provide free home fire safety visits and fit smoke alarms where required.

“If you know someone who can benefit from our service, why not get them to give us a call? It is important that you know what to do if a fire does occur in the stairwell and how to keep safe. We can advise on this as part of the visit.

“If you or someone you know could benefit from a visit, please join Scotland’s fight against fire and request a visit by calling the SFRS freephone number 0800 0731 999, or by contacting their local fire station.”

A wide range of tips on how to keep yourself and your home safe from fire are available on the SFRS website: www.firescotland.gov.uk

Free Home Fire Safety visits

If you or someone you know is at risk from fire, contact Scottish Fire and Rescue Service TODAY to arrange a free Home Fire Safety visit.

Call 0800 0731 999 or visit www.firescotland.gov.uk

Fire officer warns of stairwell dangers

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service would like to remind tenants to keep their stairwells clear – especially in the run up to Christmas:

Group Manager Steve Gourlay, the City of Edinburgh Prevention and Protection Manager, said: “We would urge people not to leave rubbish or bins in the common stairwells of tenement blocks. This can be very attractive to fire setters and increases the risk of a fire. Discarded items of furniture and rubbish can produce large amounts of toxic smoke and also impede access for emergency responders.

In Edinburgh, roughly 100 deliberate property fires occur every year with many of these involving combustibles in stairwells – the casualties and damage caused are preventable and we need to reduce them.

“I would like to stress the importance of having a working smoke alarm. Every household should have working smoke alarm and test them every week. We provide free home fire safety visits and fit smoke alarms where required. If you know someone who can benefit from our service, why not get them to give us a call? It is important that you know what to do if a fire does occur in the stairwell and how to keep safe. We can advise on this as part of the visit.

A wide range of tips on how to keep yourself and your home safe from fire are available on the SFRS website: www.firescotland.gov.uk

St Paul's: do you have information?

Police keen to speak to group of youths

Police are appealing for witnesses following the fire at St Paul’s church in Muirhouse on Sunday night. A joint investigation by police and specialist fire investigators took place yesterday and the incident is being treated as ‘suspicious’.

Inspector Alan Carson said: “This was an appalling attack on a religious building which, despite its closure, was still of importance to the local community in Muirhouse. It was a reckless act which could well have resulted in serious injury or worse.

“We are eager to talk to anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious around the church on Sunday night.

“We are particularly keen to trace a group of youths who were seen near the church less than an hour before the fire was reported. Tracing these young people would significantly help us with our enquiries.

“Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Police Scotland immediately on 101 or through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews from Crewe Toll, McDonald Road, Tollcross, Sighthill and Marionville attended the incident at9.30 on Sunday evening and brought the blaze under control just after midnight. No-one was injured.

St Paul's smoulders as investigation begins

‘What we had feared and predicted has happened tonight’

St Paul’s lies a blackened ruin this morning following a major fire at the former RC church in Muirhouse last night. An investigation has been launched and an expert forensic team is expected on the scene at first light. The fire is being treated as ‘suspicious’.

Emergency services were alerted at 9.30pm last night and at one point seven fire engines were on the scene. Police also closed off a section of Pennywell Road as firefighters battled to control the blaze.

One Pennywell resident said: “I was making a cup of tea when I noticed there was a weird red glow in the sky. I was just going to ask my wife to have a look when she came through and told me that my son had been on the phone to say St Paul’s was on fire.”

A crowd of onlookers gathered and flames could be seen shooting high into the air through the roof of the church. It’s though the building will now be demolished for safety reasons.

It’s a tragic end for a building that’s been at the heart of the Muirhouse community since the 1960’s. St Paul’s closed in October despite a community campaign to keep the church alive, and the building was quickly put up for sale – described by the selling agents as a ‘Re-development Opportunity’.

The fire has come as no surprise to some members of the local community. George Reavley was one of organisers of the Save St Paul’s campaign. Speaking last night, he said: ” Over forty years of history and fond memories for local families has been desecrated in one night by mindless, thoughtless creatures.

“What we had feared and predicted has happened tonight. St Paul’s Church was torched and went up in a huge blaze. We told the Parish Priest NOT to board the church up when it was closed. He told the Archdiocese this as well but they went ahead and boarded it up anyway. It was always on the cards. This is what happens when you don’t heed local advice.”

Unfortunate accident or foul play? We’ll find out more once investigators get to work.

Candle Safety Week advice

Did you know this is Candle Safety Week? Me neither, but here’s some advice that’s particularly relevant at this time of the year …

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is making an appeal to the public to stay safe this Candle Safety Week.

Candles pose a real threat to life if misused. Follow our top tips to make sure you, your family and home stay safe from fire:

• Make sure that when in use, candles are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains, furniture, Christmas trees, decorations or toys.

• Children and pets should not be left alone with lit candles.

• Put candles out when you leave the room, and make sure they’re put out completely at night. In particular, never leave a burning candle in a bedroom.

• Trim the wick to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping or flaring.

• Don’t move candles once they are lit.

• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on burn time and proper use.

• Do not burn several candles close together as this might cause flaring (mainly with tea-lights).

• Always make sure tea-lights are placed in a proper holder. The foil container that tea lights are contained in can get very hot. They can melt through plastic, such as a bath, and have the potential to start a house fire.

• Use a snuffer or a spoon to put out candles. It’s safer than blowing them out when embers can fly.

Taking these precautions will reduce the chances of a house fire, but should the worst happen, remember to ensure that your smoke alarms are in working order and that everyone living in your household knows their quickest escapes routes in an emergency.

Top safety tip: this winter, keep a torch and spare batteries readily available in your home in case of a lighting failure.

If you or someone you know could benefit from a FREE Home Fire Safety Visit, please join Scotland’s fight against fire and request a visit by calling the SFRS freephone number 0800 0731 999, by texting ‘check’ to 61611 or by contacting their local fire station.