Fire Safety Week 5^th to 12^th October 2020

“Smoke Alarms Save Lives”

“Sábhálann aláraim deataigh beathaí”.

In the time of Covid-19, as we spend more time at home it is more important than ever that we are all aware and fully-informed as to the steps we can take to protect ourselves and our homes from fire.

This year for Fire Safety Week we will be focusing particularly on fire safety in the home and encouraging all homes to have smoke alarms and test them weekly. As we move towards a ‘new normal’, we hope to help the public build new Fire Safe habits.

 

Summertime – Fire Safety Advice

Summertime – Fire Safety Advice Note (PDF)

Controlled burning will no longer be accepted by the Fire Service or 999/112 due to the current RED FOREST FIRE WARNING in place. This is effective from now until 12.00hrs on Monday the 1st of June 2020. People should refrain from all forms of Controlled burning at this time.

Please note:

• Controlled Burning should not take place under any circumstances.
• Communications Centres will not accept caller details at this time.
• If a 999 call is received relating to any fire on their property, then the Fire Brigade will be mobilised to attend and extinguish the Fire
• All the costs associated with the attendance of the Fire Service will be invoiced to the property owner.

In light of the on-going Covid-19 National Emergency and in the lead up to vegetation Fire season, controlled burning will no longer be accepted by the Fire Service or 999/112. This is effective from 10:00am on the 26/03/2020 for the duration of this emergency. People should refrain from all forms of Controlled burning at this time.

Please note:

• Controlled Burning should not take place under any circumstances.
• Communications Centres will not accept caller details at this time.
• If a 999 call is received relating to any fire on their property, then the Fire Brigade will be mobilised to attend and extinguish the Fire
• All the costs associated with the attendance of the Fire Service will be invoiced to the property owner.

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.

Its winter time again, and through a dedicated website www.winterready.ie, advice is being made available from a number of sources including Government Departments, An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive, Local Authorities and the transport providers. The advice has been categorised under various headings including: the Home, Road Safety, Schools, the Farming Community and the Business Sector. A synopsis of the information available has been compiled into a booklet which can be downloaded from the website.

The main objectives of the ‘Be Winter-Ready’ campaign are:

• To provide practical advice on how best to prepare for the coming winter.
• To ensure the public are aware of where advice and help can be found, if needed.
• To reassure the public that preparations are being made and arrangements have been put in place to ensure that there will be a coordinated response to severe weather events.

For more information email Monaghan County Council at info@monaghancoco.ie.

Bí Ullamh Don Gheimhreadh
Bí Ullamh Don Gheimhreadh (Adobe PDF, 2,034kb)

Be Winter Ready
Be Winter Ready (Adobe PDF, 2,023kb)

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

This year’s theme is “STOP Fire – Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives”

Fit smoke alarms today and make sure they are in good working order. Working smoke alarms will warn you if there is a fire.

Remember: Your sense of smell does not work when you are asleep, and smoke can put you in a deeper sleep.

Smoke alarms may be tested by pressing the test button with the handle tip of a floor brush.

Replace the batteries when they are not working and once a year in standard alarms, or as soon as you hear the warning beep.

If you have 10-year smoke alarms, you need to replace the whole alarm after 10 years.

Get at least one smoke alarm for each floor in the home. Fit them between the sleeping areas and the kitchen & living rooms – one in the hallway at ground floor, and one at each upper level, in the landing. For an enhanced level of protection, consideration may also be given to fitting alarms in living rooms and kitchen, in bedrooms used by vulnerable people, or in bedrooms where there is a television or large electrical appliance (such as a computer). (Heat alarms may be considered where fumes from cooking or smoke from cigarettes or open fires could lead to unwanted alarms.)

Position smoke alarms at ceiling level in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

Vacuum the smoke alarms regularly and wipe the cover. If they get clogged with dust they may not work properly.

Many years on, the message regarding fire prevention and fire safety is as relevant today as it ever was.
Play your part during National Fire Safety Week. Check out www.firesafetyweek.ie and find out how you can help to prevent and detect fires in your home. It could save your life one day!