17 January 2005 - Free Home Fire Safety Check Success
Scottish Borders Community Safety Forum has awarded over £7000 of funding to be used in partnership with Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade to buy smoke alarms for their home fire safety check project.
The project, which focuses on firefighters taking a proactive role in the community by attempting to prevent fires from occurring, will be launched on Wednesday 19 th January 2005 . The success of the Brigade’s pilot home safety scheme has led to this introduction of home safety checks throughout the rest of its area.
The Convener of The Lothian and Borders Fire Board, Ken Harrold, and Firemaster Brian Allaway, joined the Convener of Scottish Borders Council Alasdair Hutton, to celebrate the award of the smoke alarm funding at Galashiels Fire Station.
During the home safety check the firefighters, who work in pairs, advise householders on fire safety matters such as the safe use of electrical appliances, smoker’s materials and candles. They also highlight the potential hazards of cooking. The visit ends with the testing of any smoke alarms in the home, and if necessary, their replacement. Firefighters at stations across the Scottish Borders have received training in the fitting of smoke alarms and free smoke alarms are fitted if they are required.
Firefighters who have been carrying out the checks have also gained from the project, saying it is “a positive experience with good feedback from the public”, and “I can’t see how it can’t make a difference”.
The Convener of The Lothian and Borders Fire Board, Ken Harrold, said, “We welcome the provision of funding for these smoke alarms which will allow us to fully complete our home safety checks and fit smoke alarms where necessary. However, the fitting of a smoke alarm is only the first step and they should be looked after by the owner and checked regularly”.
The Convener of Scottish Borders Council, Alasdair Hutton, said, "I am fully behind anything which will make people safer in their homes. This initiative to make people more aware of the danger of fire and how to prevent it or cope with it if it should break out, will be of tremendous value to everyone who lives in the Borders."
People who would like to know more about the scheme, or would like to arrange a free home safety check, should call Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade free on 0800 169 0320.
PHOTOCALL – 11.00am Wednesday 19th January 2005: Galashiels Fire Station
The photocall at Galashiels Fire Station will feature a fire crew and fire engine, stacks of smoke alarms and;
The Convener of The Lothian and Borders Fire Board, Councillor Ken Harrold
Firemaster Brian Allaway, Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade
The Convener of Scottish Borders Council, Alasdair Hutton
Jan Pringle, Scottish Borders Community Safety Forum
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