Fire prevention team points out dangers

AS the season of celebration approaches, the last thing on people’s minds is fire safety.

But this is the time of year when the risk of fires in the home can increase.

Kitchen fires, in particular, are common during the Christmas and New Year period when large numbers gather in homes and even the best cooks can become easily distracted.

A combination of family and friends, the excitement of Christmas, the stress of creating a perfect celebration and a few more drinks than usual means it is all too easy to forget about basic fire prevention advice.

Simon Wheelwright, community fire safety crew manager, said: “A house fire can be devastating at any time of the year, but particularly so at Christmas.

“We are urging people to remember fire prevention advice as they enjoy themselves.” Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is committed to reducing fire deaths by ensuring every home in the county has a working smoke alarm.

And to make certain this happens, firefighters are offering Oldhamers free home fire safety checks and free smoke alarms.

Once an assessment has been booked, firefighters visit a home and accompany residents around every room in the property.

Their aim is to identify potential fire risks in the home and make homeowners aware of them.

Firefighters ensure the homeowner knows what to do in order to reduce or prevent those risks.

And individual escape plans for each property are put together in case a fire should break out.

No visit is complete without ensuring a working smoke alarm is fitted.

Some residents may also qualify for a free deep fat fryer, free fire retardant bedding pack, energy saving light bulbs and even a hard of hearing smoke alarm, all to ensure the risk of fire is reduced.

More than 100,000 free smoke alarms have already been fitted.

Fatma Bi, of Coppice Street, Werneth, decided to book an assesment on the recommendation of a friend.

She said: “I had a smoke alarm fitted but my friend told me about the home fire risk assesment so I decided to have one.

“It was lucky I did as the fire officer found it wasn’t working so installed a new one. The fire crews said to keep a mobile near as sometimes smoke makes it hard to find the home phone.

“I definitely feel safer having had it done because the advice the fire crews give can save lives.

“I’ve passed their phone number to all my friends.”

Mum-of-one Leanne Brierley (27), from Eaves Lane, Chadderton, was glad she had an assessment.

She said: “During the assesment, we found out our fire alarm at the top of the stairs wasn’t working.

“They helped us come up with an escape route and swapped our chip pan for a deep fat fryer as a lot of fires start because people don’t know how to use their chip pan properly.

“I would definitely recommend having one because you realise what danger you can put yourself in.”

Anyone interested in booking a free home fire risk assessment should call freephone 0800-555 815 or visit the website at www.manchesterfire.gov.uk.