2 May 2008

If you’re looking for an incentive to help you crack on with that spring cleaning you’ve been putting off so far look no further!

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service is asking homeowners to remember that good general housekeeping can help reduce the risk of fire.

Many fires which occur in homes are caused through the excessive build-up of discarded items.

Terry Ridgley, head of our Community Safety Team, said: “This month, with its two Bank Holiday weekends, offers a perfect opportunity for you to spend some time making sure your home is free of any potential fire risk ensuring you and your family can relax in safety.

“A good spring clean can help minimise the risk of fire by reducing the amount of unwanted boxes and papers in the house. It can also help you ensure your escape routes are clear of obstructions, and provides an opportunity to move any combustible rubbish away from your fences, house, garage and shed walls.

“If you do have rubbish that you want to get rid of please remember that arsonists could view bulky items left outside the house as the perfect fuel for their fire, so it is important to dispose of your items responsibly. Never use an open fire in your home or garden to burn household items, as they could have unexpected or unpleasant reactions or release toxins when exposed to high burning temperatures.

“You could also take the time to consider what you can do to ensure that you and your family get out quickly and safely if a fire does occur in your home.”

Terry added: “Finally, this is a good time of year when you have a few days off work to take the time to check you have working smoke alarms in the house and that they are clean.

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. Don't put yourself or your family at risk."

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service will carry out a free safety check of your home and fit free smoke detectors where necessary.

Smoke alarms detect fires at their earliest stages and give a loud warning to help you and your family to get out safely.

Ring 01296 744477 or send an email to cs@bucksfire.gov.uk to book an appointment.

Remember! The following safety tips can help keep you safe this Bank Holiday weekend:

Smoking

• Never leave smoking materials unattended
• Keep matches and lighters out of children's reach
• Never smoke in bed
• Never place ashtrays on soft furnishings
• Ensure all smoking materials are extinguished and disposed of properly at night
• Never empty ashtrays into plastic containers, always use a metal bin
• Don't smoke if you are tired or have consumed alcohol

Open fires

• Always use a fireguard
• Never rest clothes or newspapers on the guard
• Never place mirrors above open fires
• Have gas fires and boilers serviced annually
• Never cover fan or convector heaters, as they will quickly overheat and may catch fire
• Ensure portable gas heaters are properly maintained. Turn off and remove immediately if you have any doubts or if there is a smell of gas

Candles

• Candles should never be left in a room unattended and must always be extinguished at night
• Candles must be in an appropriate, non-flammable holder, designed for that use
• Care should be taken when using tealights and nightlights. Never place them directly on combustible surfaces such as televisions, wooden shelves etc
• Never leave a match in a tea light or other candle, as this will greatly increase the heat output and may lead to fire
• Ensure you never place candles under curtains or other items which may catch alight. A clear area of at least 30cm around and 100cm above should be maintained at all times

Cooking

• When cooking, take care if you're wearing loose clothing as it can easily catch fire.
• Keep electrical leads, tea towels and dishcloths away from the cooker and hob.
• Never leave children alone in the kitchen.
• Keep matches, lighters and saucepan handles where children can't reach them.
• Fit a safety catch on the oven door.
• Keep the over, hob, toaster and grill clean - a build-up of fat, crumbs or grease can easily catch fire.
• Don't use matches or lighters to light gas cookers - spark devices, which you can buy from hardware stores, are safer.
• Don't leave pans on the hob when you're not around. Take them off the heat if you have to leave the kitchen.
• Angle saucepan handles so they don't stick out from the hob, or over a naked flame.
• Don't put anything that is made of metal or is metallic inside the microwave.
• When you have finished cooking, make sure you switch off the oven and hob

Chip pans and deep fat fryers

• Never use wet chips in the fryer
• Never fill the fryer more than a third full of oil
• Never leave the fryer unattended
• Don't let the fryer overheat

If the pan does catch fire

• Don't move it
• Don't attempt to put the fire out yourself
• If safe to do so, turn off the heat. It may be preferable to turn off the gas/electric at the mains (this will be near the meter) rather than risk approaching the fire
• Close the door to the kitchen, and all other doors on leaving the building
• Ensure everyone has left the house
• Call the fire and rescue service by ringing 999 
• Re-enter only when told it is safe to do so by a fire officer
• Don't under any circumstances throw water onto it - you will only spread the fire and maybe hurt yourself in the process. Around 20 people a year are seriously injured attempting to fight fires in chip pans themselves. Remember, GET OUT, STAY OUT, CALL THE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE OUT

Get a smoke alarm

• Have at least one smoke detector fitted to your home (at the top of the stairs on the ceiling)
• Preferably, fit one smoke alarm per floor
• If you fit a one-year detector, check the battery regularly (at least once a month)
• The fire brigade recommends and fits ten-year  smoke detectors that do not require a battery change. These are now available at most DIY stores, and although they are dearer, they not only provide better protection, but work out cheaper over the lifetime of the detector due to the cost of replacement batteries being taken into account.
• If you get nuisance calls from your smoke detector, consider moving your alarm further away from the kitchen, and purchasing a detector with a push button that will silence the alarm for five minutes until the fumes have cleared. DO NOT REMOVE THE BATTERY
• A smoke detector could save you and your family's life

Bedtime routine

• Switch off and unplug all non essential electrical appliances
• Do not smoke in bed
• Close the doors of all rooms, particularly the kitchen
• Ensure your children have nightclothes that are non-flammable
• If you have a mobile phone, leave it in the bedroom overnight as a fire may cut the supply to any telephone extension you have there

Fire plan

• Ensure everyone in your home is aware of all exits from the building, particularly those alternative exits that lead over flat roofs such as garages etc
• Ensure all passageways are kept clear including those to your alternative exits
• Inform all members of the household of the location of keys to windows and doors
• Make  children aware of where they should go if they hear the smoke alarm
• Practice your procedure to make sure it works

In the event of a fire

• You will only have a short time to get out - fire and smoke spread very quickly
• Remember fumes from furniture contain poisonous gases and can kill people
• Implement your fire plan
• If smoke is coming out of the fire room, close the door to prevent it spreading
• Before opening a closed door feel the door using the back of your hand - if it is warm do not open it as the fire will be on the other side
• Get everyone out of the house as quickly as possible - don't waste time by trying to collect valuables or possessions
• Stay calm, keep as low as possible to avoid breathing the smoke and to allow you to see your way out.
• Call the fire and rescue service on 999
• Do not go back into your home until the fire officer tells you it is safe to do so

If we can be of assistance to you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us.