27 September 2019
Jersey Fire and Rescue Service (JFRS) is supporting the National Fire Chiefs Councils (NFCC) Home Safety Week, which runs from 30 September – 6 October 2019. The campaign is to encourage households to check their smoke alarms and follow fire safety advice.
Throughout the week the JFRS will be posting different advice via their social media channels regarding the latest fire safety guidance and will be running a series of chip pan fire demonstrations at the JEC on Saturday 5 October from 12:00-16:00.
Watch Commander, Craig Channing said: “We want Islanders to ensure they have the correct smoke detection, in the right place within their homes. This might mean installing more alarms in your home, particularly in the rooms used most. Home detection technology has advanced and products with sealed batteries or interlinked systems are available as part of your home safety plan, which may give you precious minutes to escape if a fire starts.
“This campaign is focussed around good fire safety practice in the home and how people can protect themselves from serious incidents occurring.”
Electrical items are the cause of roughly 32% of fires in Jersey homes and, with so many electronic devices scattered around living areas, having that early warning means fires are discovered quicker and can be dealt with more effectively so that the impact of fire and smoke damage can be minimised.
Cooking-related fires cause over 30% of home fires, with a high number of incidents occurring when people have consumed too much alcohol and fallen asleep. Recent campaigns such as ‘last night a burger saved my life’ reminding people about the dangers of cooking after drinking.
The JFRS is providing the following advice to Islanders, for them to stay safe:
Smoke alarms
- Replace alarms every ten years – even if they appear to work when tested
- Fit additional alarms in the rooms used most (such as bedrooms and living rooms)
- Install interlinked alarms, so when it activates, they all do
- Purchase sealed unit alarms, so batteries cannot be removed or tampered with
Cooking safety
- Don’t leave young children alone in the kitchen
- Take care if you need to leave the kitchen whilst cooking – take pans off the heat or turn hobs down to avoid risk.
Take care with electrics
- Keep electrics (leads and appliances) away from water.
- Keep the oven, hob and grill clean and in good working order. A build-up of fat and grease can ignite a fire.
Deep fat frying
- Take care when cooking with hot oil – it sets alight easily.
- Use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer. They can’t overheat.
What to do if a pan catches fire:
- Don’t take any risks. Turn off the heat if it is safe to do so. Never throw water over it.
- Don’t tackle the fire yourself.
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