Spring Fire Safety Message
April 2010

The Fire Brigade in Kingston are keen for opportunities to reach out to vulnerable residents to keep them safe from fire. They offer free home fire safety visits, installing free smoke detectors where required.  If your organisation has contact with vulnerable residents, please pass on this information to them or contact Kingston’s Fire Commander, John Elwell to discuss how they can work with you.

John Elwell offers the following advice
 “Long holiday weekends often see an increase in calls to emergencies which are found to have been caused by activities associated with DIY.  These can range from fires ignited by blow torches involved in paint stripping, to drilling into live electrical cables or gas supply pipes.  Following a few fire safety tips can help avoid turning your house into a DIY disaster area.”
“As well as carrying out home improvements, many Londoners will also use the Spring/Easter period to stock up on DIY equipment.  High on everyone’s shopping list should be a smoke alarm.  Smoke alarms costs as little as £5 and these potentially life saving devices could prove to be the best improvement you make to your home over the holiday weekend.”
So if you are a DIY enthusiast planning to take advantage of the long weekend, follow these simple fire safety Bank Holiday DIY tips:
¨ Check you have the correct tool for the job.

¨ Ensure children and pets are safe, with obstructions removed from your workplace.

· If you have to check or repair an electrical tool, turn it off at the mains. Don’t be tempted to cut corners because you are some distance from the power switch.

· Always uncoil electrical extension cables fully, as these can overheat and cause a fire.

· Never use multi-way adapters when working with high power tools.

· Gas appliances should only be repaired by an approved contractor.

· Flammable liquids should be used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, secured in containers and used in small quantities, well away from the house and other risks – e.g. naked flames, cigarettes or pilot lights.

· Ventilate when using adhesives and flammable liquids by opening windows and doors and always ensure that no naked flames or power tools are close by.

· If you spill a substance on your clothing or overalls, remove them and clean them thoroughly.

· Don’t use electrical equipment in the garden when it is raining.

· Don’t leave electrical equipment plugged in whilst unattended.

· Always check where electric wiring is running behind walls before attempting to drill holes.

· Invest in a portable Residual Current Device (safety device that can save lives by instantly switching off power) for all those outside DIY jobs with electric tools.

· Never attempt DIY electric wiring yourself anywhere in the home

Contact John Elwell to discuss further.  

For more information on fire safety visit the London Fire Brigade website at
www.london-fire.gov.uk