Last year, a group of U3A folk was able to visit the HQ of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service in Eastleigh. It was a fascinating visit as we were given a warm welcome, lots of information and practical advice.
One of the pieces of advice was a recommendation that we had a free Home Fire Safety Check visit to:
• identify any potential fire risks and discuss with the occupier how they can prevent or reduce the risk;
• ensure occupants have working smoke alarms, install where necessary and advise on maintenance and testing;
• ensure occupants have carbon monoxide detectors where needed, install if necessary and discuss the dangers;
• help put together a household escape plan and identify any mobility issues that may impede an evacuation;
• issue fire-retardant bedding, furniture throws and nightwear where needed;
• give basic advice on topics such as falls prevention and smoking.
I made the appointment and awaited my visit. I was told that if an emergency call coincided with my appointment, I’d need to be understanding – of course! But no emergency came and on time, two lovely fire officers (pictured) rolled up in the appliance. I don’t know what the rest of my street thought when they saw the appliance parked up!
I welcomed my two young officers in and, with my consent, one of them checked around the house for monitors and general risk factors while the other sat down and asked various questions about my lifestyle. They said later on that they could tell as soon as they walked in the door that I am low risk – no piles of newspapers heaped up and I can clearly look after myself. However, they did give some useful advice regarding one or two things to make myself even safer. In no particular order, these were:
• Close all internal doors at night and when you go away, as this will buy you an extra 20 minutes if fire breaks out. The kitchen is the highest risk, unless you are a smoker.
• Have smoke alarms in the kitchen, hallway and upstairs landing. Have a carbon monoxide alarm wherever there is gas (in my case the boiler in the utility room). Check they work and get batteries replaced as necessary.
• Pets are a risk factor.
• Smoking clearly is.
• A warning that Vaseline and emollients are petroleum-based and a potential fire hazard when applied to skin.
• Care with candles.
• If you charge your phone overnight by the bed, as I do, that’s fine and it’s good that it is a source of help during the night. But make sure it’s on a hard service like a bedside table, not soft like the bedding.
• If the alarms in the house go off in the night, don’t go downstairs. Phone 999 and await help in the bedroom – with the door closed.
Go to this Home Fire Safety Check page to find out more.
I did ask, as they were leaving, how they made entry into a locked house. They fished out what looked like a credit card (but clearly wasn’t) and said they’d be able to slide this in the door and it would get them in in no time at all! That’s reassuring if I’m stuck upstairs …
I do recommend everyone arranges this visit. They do not come into your home to be nosy or point an accusing finger, they just want to check you are doing everything you can to be safe. It can’t do any harm and it could save a life.
By Christine Clark
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