Despite the hard-hitting national TV advert highlighting the all too common outcome of house fires, the people who put their own lives on the line to save ours say too many are still convinced 'it will not happen to me'. Reporter Rob Bellis speaks to the fire chiefs who are doing all they can to convince people to fit the humble smoke alarm.


IT'S just after 9am and firefighters in North East Wales have attended a smoke-filled house in Buckley, caused by toast being left under the grill.

This time the occupant was alerted to the situation by a smoke alarm, but all too often they are faced with tragedy, all because a smoke alarm wasn't fitted or not working properly.

With Christmas approaching, the fire service is bracing itself for an upturn in kitchen fires and electrical fires caused by faulty tree lights.

John Berry, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service station manager, said: "This sort of incident causes us extreme concern, especially in the run up to Christmas when people will be cooking more than usual.

"We cannot over-emphasise how important it is for people to ensure they do not leave their cooking unattended.

"This lady was lucky, her house had smoke detectors fitted which immediately notified us through the Careline service and we were able to get the ambulance to the scene straight away – but it only takes a few minutes for a small fire to develop into a serious and life
threatening one.

"The best Christmas present anyone can give an elderly relative or neighbour is to ensure that they have a working smoke alarm in their home, and remember that home fire safety checks are available free from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

"Everyone looks forward to enjoying the party atmosphere at Christmas, but we are urging people to remember that fire in the home can turn celebrations into tragedy when essential fire safety awareness is forgotten.

"Extra vigilance is vital to prevent a fire that could easily devastate the family home with the loss of presents and valuables. People are asked to follow our six golden rules for fire safety."

Firefighters believe it should be just one of those things you automatically 'have' in your home – an essential like cutlery, a refrigerator or the kitchen sink – only this household item could save your life.

It is fundamental that people know how vitally important it could be to have a smoke alarm, and yet fire chiefs are concerned that some people simply don't have one.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging those people who have not yet had a free home fire safety check and free alarms fitted to make a call and get it done.

Chris Enness, deputy chief fire officer, said: "One of the main problems is that people never think that it's going to happen to them and another is that people do not realise how quickly fire can spread and block escape routes.

"We have worked very hard, especially over the last twelve months, to raise awareness and encourage members of the community to have free home fire safety checks.

"It's the key to saving lives and to not putting my firefighters in unnecessary danger."

Chris said that he is pleased with the way that awareness has increased through the campaign.

He added: "I think think that if a person has a home and yet hasn't got a smoke alarm then they are being very irresponsible both for themselves and for their loved ones. It's a simple check and it's free.
I cannot comprehend why anyone would put their loved ones at risk by not having one.

"We want everyone to have a really great Christmas and we want everyone to have a safe Christmas."

It is surprising just how quick and straightforward the check actually is.

I myself had one recently which took about ten minutes and involved answering a few simple questions with one fire officer while another officer fitted two new smoke alarms with a ten year battery life, for free.

I also joined a very good-natured Wrexham fire crew as they conducted another check at a home in Rhosrobin. The procedure is very simple.

One of the officers will go through a short form with you, asking questions and giving advice on things like candles, electrical hazards, and open fires, as well as other things which could, potentially, be a risk.

He or she will go through ways to minimise the risk discuss an 'escape plan' should the worst happen and can also put anyone with special requirements in touch with other agencies.

Another officer will fit necessary smoke alarms in appropriate places – the whole process takes a matter of minutes and when the officers leave, your house is a safer place to live.

There is no excuse for anyone in North Wales not to have smoke alarms as the fire and rescue service is offering a free home fire safety check for everyone and will install smoke alarms where necessary.

This service is completely free and anyone can request a visit by contacting the freephone number on 0800 169 1234 or e-mail cfs@nwales-fireservice.org.uk


'Six Golden Rules for Christmas Fire Safety in the Home'

1. Christmas tree lights should be thoroughly checked for defects and broken wiring as soon as they are brought out of storage. Check that only a three amp fuse is fitted in the plug. Lighting sets should conform to British Standard – look for the distinctive 'Kite Mark' on the packaging.

2. Christmas Trees and other decorations should not be placed near to open fires, portable heaters and other heat sources. Christmas cards should not be hung near open fires or heaters.

3. Lit candles should never be used on or near Christmas Trees. Candles in decorative displays should never be lit and left unattended, and should be extinguished when two inches remains unburned.

4. Wrapping and packaging from Christmas presents should be cleared away as soon as possible and never left close to electric fires, mobile heaters and smoking materials. Guard open fires at all times, particularly when there are small children around.

5. Do not take batteries from smoke detectors to use in toys and games. Drained batteries should never be thrown on an open fire.

6. Extension leads, cables and adapters for computers and other electrically operated games should be correctly fused in accordance with the manufacturer's advice. Never be tempted to overload electric sockets with multi-plug adapters.