National Fire Safety Week (7^th-13^th October 2019)

National Fire Safety Week is jointly run with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service to enhance fire safety, particularly in the home.  This year the main theme is

‘Safer Together’

This year we will not only be encouraging people to have smoke alarms and test them, we will also be encouraging the wider community to look out for each other – especially those most vulnerable and at risk.  We can all be ‘Safer Together’.

 

* On average 39 people die each year in FIRES in this country *

 

Together We Can STOP Fire –

S – is for Smoke alarms.

T – is for Test your smoke alarms weekly.

O – is for Obvious dangers of fire – be aware of them.

P – is for Plan your escape route.

 

S – Smoke Alarms

Will give you an early warning of a fire. 82% of fires resulting in fatalities had no working Smoke Alarm.

Make sure to:

• Have at least one Smoke Alarm (on the ceiling) on every level in your home
• Change the batteries every year
• When the warning beep sounds change the battery immediately

And remember: – Smoke produced in a fire will not necessarily wake you; it is more likely to put you into a deeper sleep so you need a smoke alarm to wake you up.

 

T – Test your smoke alarm at least once a week

 

O – Obvious dangers of fire in your home

• Smoking when tired
• Leaving burning candles unattended
• Leaving matches and lighters where children can get them
• Leaving chip pans, frying pans unattended
• Placing things too close to fires and heaters
• Using faulty electrical appliances
• Overloading electrical sockets

 

P – Plan your Escape

Escaping from a fire will be a lot easier if you have already planned your escape route:

• Keep escape routes clear of obstructions
• Keep keys to doors and windows immediately available
• Close all doors at night time
• Carry out a routine fire safety check before going to bed

 

If you discover a fire, or the smoke alarm sounds, you will only have a short time to get out. If possible:

• Close the door of the room where the fire is
• Get everyone out as quickly as possible and stay out
• Telephone the fire service on 999/ 112 from a neighbour’s house or mobile phone
• Never go back into a house until the fire service says it is safe to do so

 

LOOK OUT for Fire personnel in your local town on Friday the11^th of October between 12.30pm and 2.30pm giving fire safety advice.

Fire Safety at Halloween

Each year, Accident and Emergency departments are filled with children who receive horrific and painful injuries as a result of the misuse of fireworks and bonfires.

Tips for a Safe Halloween:

• See our Safety Leaflet below
• If you see material such as pallets, tyres and old furniture being hoarded in advance of Halloween please contact our Environment Section of MCC on 0429661240.
• Do not leave material lying around that may be taken for a bonfire; many garage or garden shed items such as petrol, white spirits, diesel, aerosols, batteries, tins of paint, bottles and tyres are extremely dangerous if set on fire
• Do not facilitate illegal bonfires or firework displays on or near your home or property
• Contact the Local Authority if you see a bonfire being built or lit close to buildings, trees, overhead cables, underground services or car parking areas
• Explain the dangers of illegal fireworks and bonfires to children and teenagers
• Stay a safe distance from bonfires and fireworks – wind can carry sparks long distances and can cause permanent injuries and scars
• Stay with your children and escort them on “trick or treat” visits, parties and events
• Keep dangerous substances such as oil, petrol and diesel away from fires or fireworks
• Parents, businesses and householders – Do not provide any materials for bonfires
• Do not buy, use or supply fireworks
• Respect the work of the Emergency Services, Council Staff and the Garda
• Keep pets indoors on Halloween night
• Above All – Be Safe and Stay Safe

For more information

Monaghan Fire & Civil Protection

Annahagh
Monaghan

Tel: (047) 30500

Email: info@monaghancoco.ie

Fire Safety Leaflet