Warwickshire News Mine

In the last two years WFRS have carried out 7,035 home fire safety checks, targeting at risk / vulnerable groups. The aim of a home fire safety check is to identify the potential for fires in a home and prevent them before they start.

During the visit, firefighters will look at key elements such as whether there are smoke alarms in the home, overloaded plug sockets and highlight issues such as trip hazards and escape routes. Each visit is tailored to the occupiers individual circumstances, giving one to one fire safety advice. 

Chief Fire Officer, Graeme Smith said:
“As part of the Improvement Plan, we are looking to significantly increase the amount of home fire safety checks we carry out. Many people who die in house fires are already dead before the 999 call is made, something as simple as a home fire safety check could stop this from happening and increase the chances of people getting the early warning they need. 

“Smoke alarms do save lives, which is why we need to look at how we make the best use of our resources to increase the amount of HFSC’s we carry out. This in turn will be help to make thousands of people safer in their homes.”

Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, Cllr Richard Hobbs, said:
“Home fire safety checks are a very important element of the work we do to prevent injuries and deaths from fire. It is essential that we have the extra time and resources to achieve the increase we are proposing in the Improvement Plan in order to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

More information on home fire safety checks can be found online at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/hfsc

There is still time for you to have your say on the Improvement Plan. All responses to the consultation need to be received before the closing date of 8th December 2009 in order to be considered.

Consultations will be taking place at venues throughout the county at the following locations:

* Thursday 12th November,18:30 – Presentation at 19:00hrs
Southam, The Graham Adams Centre, St James Road, Southam, Warwickshire, CV47 0LY
* Monday 16th November,18:30 - Presentation at 19:00hrs
Shipston-on- Stour, Shipston On Stour Primary School, Station Road, Shipston on Stour, CV36 4BT
* Tuesday 17th November, 18:30 – Presentation at 19:00hrs
Wellesbourne, Kineton C Of E Primary School, King Johns Road, Kineton, Warwickshire, CV35 0HS
* Wednesday 18th November, 18:30 – Presentation at 19:00hrs
Henley-in-Arden, Henley In Arden High School, Stratford Road, Henley-in-Arden, B95 6AF
* Thursday 19th November, 18:30 – Presentation at 19:00hrs
Polesworth, Birchwood Primary School, Birchwood Avenue, Dordon, B78 1QU
* Monday 23rd November, 19:30 - Presentation 20:00hrs
Studley, Studley Leisure Centre, Pool Road, Studley, B80 7QU

Residents attending will be able to have a look at the information on show, talk about the proposals, ask questions and have their say by filling out the consultation questionnaire.

If you are unable to attend any of the briefings, then you can log onto http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue to have your say. Alternatively you can e-mail fireandrescue@warwickshire.gov.uk with any questions you may have.

Link to WCC