Fire Safety Tips from Hertfordshire Fire Safety Service
At Home Instead Cuffley, Cheshunt & Harlow, we put our clients first and today that was evident with a visit from Louise Bouttell, Fire Safety Coordinator at Hertfordshire Fire Safety Service. Louise gave our team a great fire safety session, looking at hazards in clients’ homes and sharing top tips to reduce the risk of fires.
Fire Risks for Vulnerable Groups
Louise pointed out that certain groups are more at risk of fire incidents: older adults with mobility issues, smokers, and those with cognitive or sensory impairments who are deaf or hard of hearing. These groups are more at risk and sadly, many lives are lost each year to fires that could have been prevented with some simple precautions.
Top Tips for Safety
We learned many fire safety tips during the session but two stood out as key:
- Kitchens are Fire Hotspots: Kitchens are the most common place for fires to start. Louise said to close the kitchen door before you go to bed. This simple action can give you an extra 30 minutes to get out in the event of a fire, potentially saving lives.
- Paraffin-Based Emollient Creams: These creams are highly flammable and can transfer onto your clothes, making them a fire risk, especially for smokers. Louise warned to be careful around naked flames if using these creams and to be aware and take preventative measures. These creams include products such as E45, Zerobase, and Cetraben.
Proactive Measures and Support
At Home Instead Cuffley, Cheshunt & Harlow we refer our clients to the Hertfordshire Fire Safety Service when they are at higher risk of fires. Louise’s team offers a free fire safety assessment. This includes:
- Home Safety Advice: Personalised advice to reduce fire risks.
- Alarm Testing: Testing of smoke alarms and CO detectors.
- Safety Equipment: Installation of smoke detectors, CO alarms, hard-of-hearing smoke alarms, fire-proof bedding, and more.
- Support Referrals: Referral to additional support groups and resources.
Stay Safe
The session with Louise Bouttell was a timely reminder of the importance of fire safety for those most at risk. By following these tips and advice, we can reduce the risk of fire and keep our loved ones safe.
Contact the Hertfordshire Fire Safety Service for more information or to book a fire safety assessment. Let’s keep our community fire safe.
Areas We Serve
Cuffley, Cheshunt, Goffs Oak, Potters Bar, Waltham Cross, Broxbourne, Hoddesdon, Hertford
CM18 6, CM18 7, CM19 4, CM19 5, CM20 1, CM20 2, CM20 3, EN1 4, EN2 8, EN2 9, EN6 4, EN6 5, EN7 5, EN7 6, EN8 0, EN8 7, EN8 8, EN8 9, EN9 2
35a High St, Potters Bar EN6 5AJ