Junior Fire Safety Citizen Scheme
A new scheme to encourage young people to look after older neighbours or relatives has received one of it’s first referrals for a free home fire safety check.
The Junior Fire Safety Citizen Scheme is currently being piloted in 51 schools across Warwickshire.
Established by Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, the scheme helps young people aged between 10 and 11 (year 6), to talk older relatives or friends to see if they could benefit from having a free home fire safety check.
Pupils are asked to do an initial assessment by following a question and answer sheet, checking key elements such as whether there is a smoke alarm fitted in the home.
One of the first home fire safety check requests for the scheme has come from 11 year old Chloe Bowes from Paddox Primary School, Rugby. Chloe made the referral after following the checklist at her nans home – Mrs. Val Bowes.
Chloe was presented with her Junior Fire Safety Citizen certificate and was also the lucky winner of a £25 WHSmith gift voucher after being picked out of the monthly prize draw.
Schools Liaison Officer, Ruth Greenhalgh said: “We are really pleased with the referrals and hope that there will many more. The aim of the scheme is to get young people involved in fire prevention in an independent way.
"It allows them to think about potential fire dangers and help reduce the risk of fire to vulnerable members of the community. All pupils who make a referral will be presented with a certificate and entered into a free prize draw.”
A home fire safety check is completely free of charge and will look at whether a smoke alarm is fitted. If there is one fitted, firefighters will look at the location of the existing smoke alarm and decide if new or extra alarms are needed.
It is also an opportunity to set up a bedtime fire safety routine and an escape plan. Home fire safety checks can also identify any extra hazards, taking into consideration the needs of individuals.
Cllr Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, said: “Learning about fire prevention is essential for young people and this scheme provides them with the perfect opportunity to see how firefighters carry out home fire safety checks and what dangers they look for. In addition the scheme will help us to reach more vulnerable members of the community through the school referrals.”