TOUR BRINGS FIRE SAFETY MESSAGE HOME

Local shoppers urged to book free home visit

FIREFIGHTERS are urging people across Strathclyde to make fire safety a priority this winter, after a ten-day safety tour kicked off in Parkhead today.

With figures revealing that smokers' materials and matches were the most common cause of accidental house fire deaths last year, passing shoppers across the region are being encouraged to book a free Home Fire Safety Visit to ensure their homes are properly protected.

Starting at the Forge Parkhead, the contents of a burnt-out living room will be on display at shopping venues in Clydebank, Rutherglen, Pollok and Paisley this week.  The tour will highlight just how devastating a fire can be and importance of having working smoke alarms installed in the home that are tested once a week. 

Of the 3,032 house fires which occurred in Strathclyde in 2010-11, almost half (47 per cent) of these homes didn't have a working smoke alarm or had no smoke alarm at all.  In the same year, 18 people lost their lives and 464 people were hurt or injured.

Lewis Ramsay, Strathclyde Fire & Rescue's Assistant Chief Officer and Director of Community Safety, said:

"Fire can happen to anyone at anytime.  That's why as part of this tour we're urging people at risk across Strathclyde to ensure they have the right protection in place should the worst happen.

 "A Home Fire Safety Visit is a quick and easy way to make sure your home is safe.  It only takes around 20 minutes and involves fire service staff making sure you have sufficient smoke alarms that are installed correctly.  If necessary, they will install new smoke alarms free of charge."

 Roseanna Cunningham, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, said:

 "The number of lives lost to fire in Scotland has fallen for the third year in a row, but we cannot forget the victims and families affected. Every life lost to fire is a tragedy and lessons must be learned to ensure the number of lives lost continues to fall. That's why this campaign is so important.

"We all want our communities to be safe from fire and The Scottish Government and Fire and Rescue Services continue to work hard educating people about the risks of fire - be it alcohol consumption, smoking, misuse of electrical appliances, the overloading of electrical sockets or by other means.  The most important message we can give is not to be complacent and always be on your guard."

Of the 6,336 house fires which occurred in Scotland in 2010-11, almost half (49 per cent) of these homes didn't have a working smoke alarm or had no smoke alarm at all. 

In the same year, 40 people lost their lives and over 1,100 people were hurt and injured.

People can call 0800 0731 999, text FIRE to 61611 or use our website  to contact us for a free Home Fire Safety Visit.  For additional fire safety advice, visit www.dontgivefireahome.org