In a bid to create a safer community, Humberside Fire and Rescue Service is asking residents to make a different kind of New Year’s resolution.

The ‘Make a Change’ initiative encourages residents to make simple changes to their routine to help create a safer environment in the home.

Daryl Oprey, Head of Safety for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Many of the house fires we attend could be easily avoided had residents carried out a bedtime check, which consists of a few checks before going to bed at night. By taking time to think about the potential dangers and adopting safer practices, people can be safer in their home and could prevent a fire from starting.”

Bedtime check
•Check that the cooker is turned off

(Cooking related fires are the biggest cause of house fires in the Humberside area)
•Put candles and cigarettes out properly

(Fires caused by smoking related materials are the biggest cause of fire deaths in the Humberside area. Candles should never be left unattended)
•If using an open fire, ensure all embers are fully extinguished and put up a fire guard

(A spark from an unattended fire can easily cause a fire)

Turn off and unplug electrical appliances unless they are designed to be left on – like the freezer

(By switching off electrical appliances the risk of a fire breaking out in the home is reduced)
•Turn off gas and electric heaters

(By switching off heaters the risk of a fire breaking out in the home is reduced)
•Keep door and window keys where everyone in the household can find them

(Knowing where the keys are will provide valuable extra time to escape in an emergency)
•Make sure all exits are clear

(Should a fire break out, keeping walkways and exits clear will make escaping easier)
•Close internal doors at night to stop a fire from spreading

(If a fire breaks out, closed doors slow down the fire’s spread which gives extra time to escape)

Daryl continued: “We are asking residents to make a change for 2014 by introducing a bedtime check into their household. If a fire breaks out, these steps can make escaping quicker and easier but ultimately, this routine can prevent a fire from happening in the first place.”

For safety advice, call 0300 303 8242

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