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Your safe and Well visit - Surrey Fire and Rescue Service Booklet

The best way to keep safe from fire is to understand common fire hazards and reduce the risk from them in your home. Using a home fire safety checker is a great first step to fire safety in the home, and Surrey Fire & Rescue Service offer a FREE safe and well visit to anybody who requires it.

Below is information on home fire safety, including: 

 

Surrey Fire & Rescue Service

Surrey Fire & Rescue Service offer a FREE Safe and Well Visit to anybody who requires it.

We offer free fire safety advice for your home, with free fire safety equipment available if necessary.

This can include the following:

  • smoke alarms
  • carbon monoxide detectors
  • flame retardant bedding & throws
  • hard of hearing smoke alarms with vibrating pad and strobe lights
  • Message in a bottle, recognised by all emergency services
    • Message in a bottle stores important information such as medication, allergies and next of kin emergency contact details
  • One Stop Surrey Referral form
    • One Stop ensures that adults are receiving the right care and help that they need from a range of different partnership agencies

 

Safe and Well visit

Visit: www.surreycc.gov.uk/safeandwell 

If the home fire safety check advises that it is required, we can book a personalised safe and well visit to provide and install fire safety equipment free of charge.

If you are unable to complete the online home fire safety check, book a safe and well visit direct with us for yourself, or refer a loved one or someone you’re worried about:

  • Visit www.surreycc.gov.uk/safeandwell
  • Call: 0800 085 0767
  • Text: 07971 691898 with
    • your name
    • contact number
    • your postcode
    • your primary concern - such as smoke alarms, a disability, or safety concern

We are here to help you stay safe and well in your home.

 

Reporting faults for alarms

Smoke alarms: Please visit your local Fire Station for advice.

Hard of Hearing (HoH) Alarms (WiSafe Fire Angel, Fire Blitz, Bellman): If your system was supplied following contact with Sight for Surrey please contact them to arrange replacement or repair of your system:

Alternatively, if your system was supplied by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service:

To book a free Safe and Well Visit for yourself, or refer a loved one or someone you’re worried about, do one of the following:

 

Alarms

Fit at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home.

Use heat alarms instead in rooms where there is likely to be steam or excessive dust e.g. kitchen, garage or bathroom.

Alarms should ideally be installed in the centre of a ceiling or at least 300mm away from a wall, light fitting or decorative object.

Make sure you can hear alarms throughout the house.

Buy smoke alarms with the British Standard Kitemark, the CE mark or the (new) UKCA mark.

Check your alarms are working each week and change the battery should your alarm start to beep regularly.

Remember – an alarm will not work without a battery, never disconnect or remove batteries.

Smoke alarms will alert you to a potential fire early so you can get to safety.

Get them, install them, test them. They could save your life.

 

Hard of hearing - Linked alarms

We can provide free equipment for those who are hard of hearing, such as strobe lighting with vibrating pads which can be linked to smoke alarms.

 

Smoking

Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.

Take care if smoking when tired, taking prescription drugs or have been drinking, it greatly increases the risk of a fire. It is dangerous to smoke in bed.

Use a proper ashtray and empty ashtrays carefully when cold.

Always ensure cigarettes are completely out. If left resting on an ashtray, they can fall and start a fire.

 

Furniture and heaters

When purchasing furniture, ensure it carries a fire resistant label.

Where possible, secure heaters to a wall to avoid them falling over.

Keep heaters away from curtains, furniture, paper and other flammable materials.

Don’t ever cover heaters or use them to dry clothes.

 

Kitchen

Avoid cooking if you’ve been drinking alcohol.

Make sure the handles of pots and pans are not sticking out, as these can be knocked.

Take care with loose clothing when cooking, as long sleeves and flowing material can catch fire.

Keep tea towels and cloths away from around the cooker and hob.

Look after your toaster, empty the crumb tray and keep it away from curtains.

Keep your oven, hob and grill clean and grease free. Never use water to put out fires involving fats or oils.

If your pan catches fire turn off the heat if safe to do so, and call 999.

Don’t try to tackle fire yourself. Get out, stay out, dial 999.

Did you know that you can contact your utilities supplier to have cooking appliances disconnected or a safety switch installed if you are worried about fire safety?

 

Candles

Keep children and pets away from lit candles, and never leave candles unattended.

Put candles out when you leave a room, especially when you go to bed!

Use all candles, including tealights on a secure heat proof surface, such as a ceramic coaster or candle holder.

Keep candles away from curtains and furniture.

 

Electrics

Be mindful not to overload plugs and extension leads.

Ensure you are using the right size fuse to prevent appliances overheating.

  • For appliances up to 700W use a 3AMP fuse.
  • For appliances between 700-1,000W use a 5AMP fuse.
  • For appliances more than 1,000W use a 13AMP fuse.

Large appliances like washing machines should have a single plug socket to themselves.

Check regularly and replace old or damaged cables and wires.

Look out for scorch marks, hot plugs, damaged sockets, fuses that repeatedly blow and flickering lights. These are all signs that something is not quite right with your appliance!

Unplug appliances when not in use or going to bed.

Make sure electrical appliances and chargers have a British or European safety mark, always follow manufacturer instructions for use.

 

Electric blankets

Old and worn electric blankets pose a higher fire and burn risk.

Unplug electric blankets after use.

Store them rolled up and not folded, to prevent damage to the wires.

 

If you would like this information in an alternative format or language

Please contact us on:

 

Forces Connect

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