Home fire safety visits helping the vulnerable

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service’s specialist Prevention Team and their Home Fire Safety Advisors focus on people who are most vulnerable to fire due to frailty and complex needs, with enhanced visits. These enhanced visits to high-risk people look at all the factors that affect the likelihood of a fire taking place and consider how easily they can seek help and escape in an emergency.

Advice and support is provided to reduce the risk wherever possible with the addition of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Where needed, visits can take place with carers and other agencies to ensure a joint approach to keeping someone safe. The Home Fire Safety Advisors can refer someone to other services if they identify the need for other kinds of care and support to reduce risks. Team members also conduct visits alongside the Arson Task Force for people whose property is at risk of arson.

Head of Prevention at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service Lisa Bryan said: “Our Home Fire Safety Visits are all about keeping the most vulnerable people of Northamptonshire safe and I am delighted that the continued hard work of firefighters and fire staff has seen more people protected. We know through the customer feedback we receive that these visits make a positive difference, helping to change behaviours and making people feel safer.”

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone said: “Communities and prevention are at the core of my public safety plan, so I am pleased to see so many vulnerable people across Northamptonshire are being kept safe.”

If you would like to refer yourself, a friend or a family member for a Home Fire Safety Visit, this can be done by visiting www.northantsfire.gov.uk/home-safety-checks/
Or you can complete your own fire safety check online, which can be found at the link above.

Alternatively, you can also phone 01604 797 000.