Make fire safety a priority in your New Year!
Now the New Year is upon us, the annual compulsion of making and breaking resolutions are well on their way. Research shows that the most popular choices are giving up smoking, losing weight and getting fitter.
There are however some choices which are not so hard to achieve which will benefit individuals and families alike.
County Fire Officer, William Brown said: “Spending a small amount of time thinking about safety in the home, like the other more popular resolutions, is a lifetime’s investment. Each year several hundred people die and many more are injured in their homes. So be prepared!
· Decide in advance your emergency escape plan. Practice using the escape routes, especially in the dark. Have an assembly point outside where everyone in the household knows to meet in the event of a fire.
· Fit smoke alarms, ideally one on each floor. Test them weekly.
· If you already have smoke alarms fitted, but they don’t work, then replace the battery - it could save your life!
· Before going to bed, close all doors.
· Make sure keys are readily available to unlock external doors.
· Make sure any alternative ways out that you have identified, are also able to be opened in an emergency.
· Get every one out, then telephone the fire and rescue service from outside.
“Our aim is to help create safer communities through prevention. There is more than one way to fight a fire and your resolution can help us succeed!”
For further information log onto http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue or http://www.firekills.gov.uk