Free fire safety checks
Free safety checks to help reduce the risk
of a fire or other emergency in your home
are available from Buckinghamshire Fire &
Rescue Service
Free smoke alarms are fitted where required,
and firefighters will also help you find
out more about other useful local services
if you are interested.
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.
Firefighters 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, ring 01296
744477 or email cs@bucksfire.gov.uk
Community safety manager Terry Ridgley said:
“When fires break out, smoke alarms
provide a vital early warning sign. If the
fire happens at night, they are often your
only warning.”
Here are Terry’s top tips to ensure
you and your family stay safe from fire:
Fit and maintain a smoke alarm: You should have one on each level of your
home and test it weekly. The ideal position
is on the ceiling, in the middle of a room,
or in the hallway and landing. Test it weekly.
Plan your escape route: Make sure you and your family know the quickest
way out in the event of fire. Consider an
alternative route in case your usual one
is blocked.
In the event of a fire, get out, stay out
and call 999: Don’t delay for valuables, and don’t
investigate or try to tackle the fire. Use
a mobile, a neighbour’s phone or a
phone box to call 999. If someone needs to
be rescued wait safely outside for the firefighters
who have the equipment and training to do
it. Never go back in.
Check on others: When you visit relatives or friends, look
out for safety hazards in the home. Offer
to help test their alarm and plan escape
routes together.
Keep internal doors shut: This will slow down the spread of fire.
