To keep you and your loved ones safe at home this winter, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) is sharing some key advice.
The best start to protecting your home is to carry out an online home fire safety check on the fire service’s website: norfolk.gov.uk/fire. Those who are elderly or vulnerable are entitled to a free in-person visit from NFRS to assess the fire safety of their homes – people can check eligibility on the website.
Emyr Gough, Area Manager and Head of Prevention and Protection at Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, said:
“Now we are approaching winter and the weather is turning, we would urge everyone to take measures to stay safe at home.
“Please also look out for your friends, relatives and neighbours, especially if they are elderly or live alone. Offer to test their smoke alarms, make sure they know to keep a good distance from any portable heaters, talk to them about our free home fire safety checks, or simply knock on their door if you haven’t seen them to check they are OK.”
The fire service’s advice for home safety this winter is:
- Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every floor of your home and test them regularly.
- If you are using a portable heater, keep it at a safe distance (at least one metre) from people and away from flammable items such as bedding, furniture and curtains. Do not use heaters to dry clothes, switch them off overnight, and check them regularly for wear and tear.
- Only buy heaters from reputable retailers to ensure they meet British safety standards.
- If you use emollients (medical moisturisers that treat skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis), do not smoke, get near a portable heater, a gas hob or any other naked flame. When dried into clothing and bedding, all emollients present a serious fire risk.
- Have your chimney swept by a professional if it is going to be used this winter.
- Do not leave any candles unattended.
- Do not overload sockets and avoid using block adaptors – extension leads with built-in protection are much safer.
- If you use an electric blanket or heated throw, check it thoroughly for wear and tear, never use it as an over-blanket, and do not use it at the same time as a hot water bottle.
- Check the date and condition of your hot water bottle. The flower symbol on the bottle shows when it was made – the number in the centre is the year, each petal represents a month, and the dots show the weeks. Hot water bottles should be replaced after two years and checked regularly for signs of wear and tear, as they can cause serious burns if the rubber deteriorates.
Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for Communities at Norfolk County Council, said:
“If you know someone who would benefit from a free home fire safety visit, please visit the fire service’s website to see if they are eligible.
“This might be because they are elderly, need care or support, have mental health issues, are a smoker, or are more vulnerable to fires in another way. We want to keep everyone safe this winter.”
To read more safety advice, complete an online home fire safety check, or find out whether you or a loved one is eligible for an in-person visit from the fire service, visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/fire.
Further advice on electric blankets is available at www.norfolk.gov.uk/electricblankets.
