Fire Safety Week 30th September - 6th October 2024

Theme: “We didn’t start the Fire” – But what did?!.

National Fire Safety Week is jointly run with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and it aims to enhance fire safety, particularly in the home.
In the new blended working world, many of us are spending more time at home so it is more important than ever that we are all informed as to the steps we can take to protect ourselves and our homes from fire.

This year, for Fire Safety Week, our focus will be on preventing fires in the home by understanding their common causes and taking steps to stop them before they start.  Once a fire starts, it can be relentless, so it’s crucial to do everything possible to prevent one.

People will be encouraged to increase their awareness of home fire safety by regularly doing routine Fire Safety Checks and following the STOP Fire steps to safeguard their homes.

Monday 30th September: Stop Fire Starting

• People must ensure their loved ones are safe by identifying and removing possible causes of fire.
• Routine fire safety checks should be carried out, particularly at night.
• Staying vigilant and mindful of fire safety will decrease the incidence of fire in the home.

 Tuesday 1st October: Smoke Alarm Day

• Don't Wait – Check the Date.
• Have AT LEAST ONE working on each floor.
• Test your smoke alarm!
• Don’t borrow batteries from your smoke alarm!
• When a smoke alarms sounds, get outside and stay outside

Wednesday 2nd October: How Do You Plug In?

• Turn off appliances overnight don’t leave them on “STAND BY”
• Unplug phone chargers overnight and do not overload sockets. 
• One socket, one plug.
• Don’t leave your phone or tablet charging on your bed.
• Don’t run washing machines or dryers while you are asleep.
• Save energy, but do so safely!

Thursday 3rd October: Children's and Students Fire Safety

• Be extra vigilant during PJ’S & FANCY DRESS COSTUME PARTIES.
• Don’t stand too close to open fires and candles.
• Keep matches and lighters in a safe place away from Children.
• Never hold a child while you are cooking.
• If you are living on your own for the first time, you’ll be responsible for looking after the place you’re living in. Keep safe from fire.
• Heading out on the town tonight – consider a takeaway on the way home (instead of cooking when you get home). Smoking is a real fire risk when you are tired.

Friday 4th October: Be Careful When Smoking

• 1 in 5 Fire Fatalities in Ireland in 2023 were from smoking materials!
• Smoking is a real fire risk when you are tired. 
• Don’t smoke in bed.
• Always dampen your cigarette butts and ashes before you dispose of them.
• Pour water in your ashtray before going to bed.

Saturday 5th October: Chimneys and Stoves

• It’s getting wintry out, have you swept your chimney this year?
• Installation of stoves must be done by a competent installer.
• Ensure stoves, boilers and flues are serviced regularly by a competent engineer.
• Before going to bed, make sure open fires and stoves have burned down.
• Use a spark guard in front of an open fire.
• In the case of a chimney fire (loud roaring noise), get out and get the Fire Brigade out!

Sunday 6th October: Fire Safety in the Home

• Do a Fire Safety check before retiring for the night.
• Close all doors at night.
• “CLOSE BEFORE YOU DOZE”
• CANDLES – make sure there are secure in a non-combustible candle holder – don’t place them near combustible materials, such as furniture or curtains – don’t leave a lighting candle unattended.
• Do you have an escape plan? Plan at least 2 ways to get out in case one is blocked by fire.

Watch this Youtube Video - Close before you Doze - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSP03BE74WA

Click on this link to see the leaflet about Fire Safety in the Home Fire Safety Leaflets – Fire Ireland