4 February 2009

Community safety staff at Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service are concerned about a drop in the number of people applying for free safety checks.

The scheme helps householders eliminate the risk of a fire or other emergency in their home, and includes the fitting of free smoke alarms where required.

More than 2,500 residents in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes have taken advantage of the offer in the last nine months – and 15,000 since the scheme began in earnest in 2005.

In the same period last year, 3.000 of the checks were completed. Community safety manager Terry Ridgley said: “I am really concerned about the drop in the number of people signing up for this free service. In terms of making people safer, it offers maximum effectiveness with the minimum of fuss.

“When fires break out, which is often during the night, smoke alarms provide a vital early warning sign - indeed, they are often your only warning.

“People are sometimes suspicious when they are offered something free, but I can promise you there are no hidden charges!

“It’s very easy to book one of these checks. Please don’t put yourself or your family at risk for the sake of a phone call or a few clicks of your computer keyboard.”

The checks take about 30 minutes each, depending on the size of the house, and are usually carried out by firefighters. The householder needs to be present to answer a few questions.

Staff will offer fire safety advice, based on any potential fire risks that they may have identified during the check, and answer questions.

They will then fit as many smoke alarms as they think necessary. Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service currently fits British Standard smoke alarms with a sealed battery that should last 10 years in normal use.

To book one of these free checks, ring01296 744477, email cs@bucksfire.gov.uk or fill in the online form here

• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you may well not be able to hear a smoke alarm. If that is the case, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service can still help provide you with an appropriate smoke alarm system. It will, with your consent, pass your details to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, who will arrange a hearing assessment for you. Subject to the results of that assessment, they will loan you a special smoke alarm system which is suitable for your needs.