In addition to providing an excellent response to emergency incidents, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue also seek to improve community safety by working proactively to prevent fires and other emergencies from happening.
The most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries is to reduce the number of incidents that happen in the first place. The Community Fire Safety Department sets out to achieve these goals through a system of pro-active education involving a wide range of initiatives aimed at promoting a safe environment from fires, road traffic collisions and other emergencies. This pro-active education is delivered by operational personnel and a dedicated team of Community Fire Safety Advocates, either in people’s homes whilst carrying out home fire risk assessments, or by talking to members of the public through our attendance at public events or through our work with partnership organisations. At home or outdoors, your family are potentially at risk, not just from fire, but other hazards too. The safety of your family should always come first and by following some simple advice, you can protect them. Being Safe at HomeThroughout your home It's worth walking into every room of your house specifically to check for fire risks. If you go looking for dangers, you might be surprised by how many you find. Overloaded plugs
Fit one plug per socket unless you use a bar adapter on a lead. Don't plug appliances into the adapter that use more than 13 amps of current altogether. Electric cables
Check for worn or taped up cables or leads. These can be dangerous so you should replace them. Don't put cables under carpets or mats where they can become worn. Dangerous wiring
Watch out for hot plugs and sockets, fuses that blow for no obvious reason, flickering lights, scorch marks on sockets or plugs. They're all signs of loose wiring or other problems Matches and lighters
Keep matches and lighters where children can't reach them. Lights
Make sure lights aren't positioned near curtains and other materials that could burn. Is your upholstered furniture fire-resistant?
If your upholstered furniture was made before 1988 then it's not fire-resistant, it can be set alight easily and it will produce clouds of poisonous smoke. Make sure you check the label to be sure. Has your chimney been swept?
If you have an open fire, make sure you sweep your chimney once a year. Ashtrays
If someone smokes in your house use proper ashtrays and make sure they can't be knocked over easily. Avoid a build-up of ash, butts and used matches. Wet the contents of the ashtray before putting it in the bin. Inflammables
Don't keep inflammable materials, like solvents (such as some glues or aerosols) or paraffin, in direct sunlight or near a heat source. If you're using something inflammable, make sure the room is well ventilated, and don't light a flame nearby. Gas fires and carbon monoxide poisoning
Each year, around 7 people die from gas-related fires or explosions and about 30 people die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained. Many others suffer ill health. The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) website contains information gas consumers need to know in order to manage gas appliances/equipment safely and tells them what to do in an emergency - see weblink below. It provides advice for landlords, and letting agents on how to comply with the law. HSE also has a gas safety advice line on 0800 300 363,
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Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue
