Good Feeling - Gone: Southam
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service is asking residents not to let the good feeling go – as they launch their innovative Christmas Fire Safety Campaign in Southam.
The community event will run from 10.00am to 3pm, on Saturday 16 December 2006 at Southam Fire Station. During the event, residents will be asked to think about fire safety in the home and to look out for advertisements on billboards and buses to see the visual impact of the campaign.
In Warwickshire last Christmas, there were 27 house fires, two of which were so serious that lives were put at risk and families were left homeless over the Christmas period. The main cause of these incidents were saucepans / grills being left unattended when cooking and kitchen appliances such as dishwashers and microwaves being left on standby.
Area Risk Officer, Andy Thompson said:
“You are 50% more likely to die in an accidental house fire during Christmas than at any other time of the year, which is why Stratford Area Risk Team is launching this hard-hitting campaign in the hope that residents will think twice about fire safety over Christmas and encourage them to have simple safety measures in place, including a working smoke alarm and escape plan.”
By following a few simple steps a fire over the Christmas period could be avoided:
· Decorations can burn easily – don’t attach them to lights or heaters. Fit and maintain smoke alarms on every level of your home.
· Celebrate Christmas and New Year safely. The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greater after alcohol is consumed.
· Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard. Always use a Residual Current Device on outdoor electrical equipment (safety device that can save lives by instantly switching off power).
· Switch off electrical items when not in use, unless they’re designed to stay on.
· Switch heaters off if you’re not in the room and also when you go to bed.
· Never leave cooking unattended – it’s very easy to be distracted when you are entertaining family or friends.
Warwickshire County Councils Well Being Fund for the Stratford District funded the ‘Good Feeling Gone’ campaign.