27/4/2009 - Fire safety tips for Bransty

Bransty residents will get tips on fire safety in their own homes this week as firefighters launch a high-profile campaign in the area.

On Wednesday 29 April a team of 30 people including firefighters, volunteers and other staff from Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service (CF&RS) will descend on the Bransty area of Whitehaven and hope to visit every home and where necessary fit a free 10 year smoke alarm.

From 9:30am to 4pm firefighters will be in the area to offer home safety visits to make sure residents have an adequate number of smoke alarms in their home and that they're fitted in the right places. These are all supplied free of charge.

For the first time a full range of specialist advocate staff from CF&RS will be giving advice to older people, those who are deaf and hard of hearing, migrant workers and BME, vulnerable adults and those with drug or alcohol issues.

The area will be leafleted by volunteer staff on the Monday and Tuesday and the volunteers will be out in force helping CF&RS interact with the community on the day of the event.

The fire and rescue service has previously carried out these events on the lead up to Christmas in Distington, Sandwith, Seaton and St Bees, where over 600 Home safety checks were completed, and left these communities much safer.

Cumbria’s Chief Fire Officer Dominic Harrison, said: "Our firefighters are well aware of the devastation that house fires cause, unfortunately many people in our communities don't yet have that awareness.

"I want every home in the county to have a correctly sited, working smoke alarms to give an early warning of fire, which we will provide free of charge. 

"By giving up just 30 minutes of their time for a free home safety visit, we can offer advice and guidance that will drastically reduce the chances of their home having a fire and dramatically increase their chances of escaping unhurt if they do."

Every home in Cumbria is eligible to apply for a free home safety visit to help residents deal with any potential fire hazards in your home. To arrange a visit please ring freephone 0800 358 4777 or contact your local fire station.

The service is completely free and can only be done by Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service.

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Chris Little on 01228 226334.