FireKills - Home Safety risk assement service

A few weeks ago whilst my wife was at one of the local kiddy centres with our little ones, the fire service popped in to see if anyone wanted a free home fire assement of their home.

Because they'd said the word "free" Mrs Monkey snapped their hand off and arranged a date.

After turning up in a fire truck, which is always a bonus when the kids are about, and an excellent talking point for neighbours, the two firemen/fire person/fire operative or what ever you call these good people, came in and assessed the house.

Because we've had the garage converted (can't believe it's been a year now), I've often thought but never got around to it if I should put a smoke alarm in there as it's well away from the down stairs one, but just under one of the kids bedrooms.

So as part of the assessment, I found out it would be an excellent idea, and they fitted a free smoke alarm to the ceiling.

We ran through escape routes, safety points in the house, do we use a chip pan (does that go in the microwave?).

What that worried me was do you leave your tumble dryer or washing machine on at night or when you leave the house? This is one of the main causes of house hold fires in appliances over three years old.

I'd strongly recommend the inspection to anyone, even if it's for some sound advice.

Facts

Your twice as likely to die in a fire if you don't have a smoke alarm that works.

90 people a year die each year because they have a faulty smoke alarm or the battery has run flat.

Over half of home fires are caused by cooking accidents

More than five fires a day are started by candles.

Every 3 days someone dies form a fire caused by a cigarette

Fault electrics (appliances,wiring and overloaded sockets) cause around 7000 house fires a year.

Smoke alarms should be tested every week.