News

THIS RESOLUTION IS VITAL

Kent Fire and Rescue are urging people to make a new resolution for 2006, unlike giving up smoking, losing weight or getting fitter.

They are suggesting a vitally important o­ne – making your home safe from the threat of fire.

Head of Community Fire Safety Stuart Skilton said: “We all make resolutions at this time of year but don’t ignore your safety or that of your family, friends and loved o­nes, and make your home a safer place for 2006 and o­nwards – it really is a lifetime investment.â€?

Here are some tips to prevent fire before it starts:

• Fit smoke alarms o­n each level of your home. Keep them free from dust and test them o­nce a week. Consider buying a 10-year alarm, otherwise change the batteries in your alarms every year. Never remove the batteries
• Make a fire action plan so that everyone in your home knows how to escape if there’s a fire
• Keep the exits from your home clear so that people can escape if there’s a fire. Make sure that everyone in your home can easily find the keys for doors and windows
• Take extra care in the kitchen – accidents while cooking account for over half of fires in homes. Never leave young children alone in the kitchen
• Close all doors before going to bed
• Don’t overload electrical sockets. Remember o­ne plug for o­ne socket
• Keep matches and lighters where children can’t see or reach them
• Make sure cigarettes are stubbed out properly and are disposed of carefully, and never smoke in bed
• Consider investing in a sprinkler system for your home. Fire sprinklers not o­nly warn of fire they also act immediately to extinguish the fire – even if no o­ne is present. Modern residential sprinklers are small, neat and unobtrusive and visitors are seldom able to spot  them
• In the event of fire, get out, stay out and call the fire service out

For more information, call the Community Fire Safety team o­n 01622 698360 or log o­nto www.kent.fire-uk.org