?Pull your finger out? Oxfordshire fire chiefs tell residents

OXFORDSHIRE fire chiefs are saying ?Pull your finger out? in a bid to get residents to check their smoke alarms as part of a government campaign launched this week.
According to new survey results from the government, 94 per cent of Oxfordshire?s households have a smoke alarm, however, 83 per cent of those do not test their alarm often enough, risking the safety of homes and loved ones.

Fire kills

Latest statistics show that on average, there are 394 accidental house fires in Oxfordshire each year, injuring 95 and killing four people. People who don?t own a working smoke alarm are twice as likely to die in a fire2. That is why Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service is supporting Government’s Fire Kills Campaign: ?Pull your finger out?.

Fire Risk Manager Mike Bingham said: ?Despite the fact that a high number of people in Oxfordshire own a smoke alarm, a disturbing number do not maintain their alarms on a weekly basis.

?The message is simple ? smoke alarms save lives, but only if they work! We?re urging all Oxfordshire residents to pull their fingers out and test their smoke alarms ? this simple action could save the lives of their loved ones.?

Television adverts

A new wave of TV advertising is accompanying the campaign. Fronted by actress Julie Walters, the advert highlights the devastating and potentially fatal consequences of not testing your alarm often enough. Running from 15 January to 9 March, the advert shows the aftermath of a fire in the home with a burnt out kitchen providing the backdrop to the scene.

Apathy seems to be the main reason that people from Oxfordshire do not test their smoke alarms, with many people attributing forgetfulness, being too busy or just simply ?can?t be bothered? to do an action that only takes a few seconds, but could potentially save their lives.

Fire safety tips

Ensuring you stay safe from fire is quick and simple. Fire Risk Manager Mike Bingham has provided five essential fire safety tips to help you protect yourself, your family and your home from fire:

Step 1 – Fit a smoke alarm on each level of the property. When a fire starts, you only have a few minutes to escape so an early warning is vital. Make sure you replace battery operated smoke alarm units after 10 years. Alternatively, consider installing a 10-year battery smoke alarm or mains powered alarm.

Step 2 – Test it weekly. A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and dial 999.

Step 3 – Plan your escape route. Make sure you and your family know the quickest way out in the event of fire. Consider an alternative route in case your usual one is blocked.

Step 4 ? Stay safe in the kitchen. This is the area where most house fires start. It only takes a minute to check electrical appliances are switched off. Also, never
leave cooking unattended.

Step 5 ? Ask the experts. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service offers free home fire risk checks to identify potential fire risks and advise what to do to reduce or prevent them. To find out more, contact the Risk Reduction Team on 08000 325 999 or visit www.fire.gov.uk

1 Survey conducted via TNS Omnibus on behalf of the Fire Kills campaign amongst a nationally representative sample (1747) of adults aged 16+ in England, from November 2 – 6, 2007.

2 Source: Communities and Local Government Fire Statistics 1996-2006.