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Fire safety
Most fires in the home can be prevented by taking some basic and common-sense precautions. This section will help you to inspect your home for anything that could cause a fire. You can then take the necessary actions to protect your home and the people who live in it.
Fire Safety in the Home
The home is generally regarded as the place where we feel safest, but it is also the place where the overwhelming majority of fire deaths occur. Additionally the damage to homes and personal effects runs into many hundreds of thousands of pounds each year. If a fire occurs in your home, your chances of survival will depend on how quickly and safely you are able to get out.
By following the guidance contained in the Fire Safety in the Home 
leaflet, you will substantially reduce the chances of fire harming you, your family or your home.
The leaflet is available in several other languages and can be downloaded from the Fire and Resuce Service website.
Home Fire Safety Check
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service provide a Home Fire Safety Check (HFSC) service which is available to all Derbyshire residents. The check is carried out to reduce the risk from fire within the home.
The service is by appointment only, and can be arranged by contacting Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, North Area Office on 01246 223500 or you can book a visit online.
Derbyshire Handyvan Network
Derbyshire Handy Van service is now making it safer for older and vulnerable people to live in their own homes.
Bolsover district has its own dedicated handy van and the service is available to you if you are 60 and over, or if you are referred by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, the District Council, Derbyshire County Council Adult Social Services or Derbyshire Constabulary because you are vulnerable or at risk.
You can phone and ask for the van to visit your home and help with:
- Home fire safety checks
- Smoke alarms checked and fitted
- Home security checks
- Energy efficiency advice
- Practical tasks for example:
- changing light bulbs
- securing carpets and rugs
- removing and hanging curtains
- checking stair rails are secure and appropriate
- installing key safes
- path and door access clearance
- securing tap washers to reduce dripping taps.
For more information or to find out if you qualify for the service please call 01246 345748.
Question Your Perception of Fire campaign
DFRS are running a community fire safety campaign from October - December aimed at reducing the number of accidental house fires that occur. The campaign is called 'question your perception of fire'.
Fire crews from across Derbyshire are asking people to think about the damage a fire in their home could cause and to take action to prevent it happening.
The ‘question your perception of fire’ campaign is backed by a series of activities across the county showing people the adverse effect a fire in the home can have, not just on property but also on people’s lives.
The aim of this campaign is to tackle this perception and raise awareness because by taking a few simple steps you can make your home safer from the risk of fire.
More than 50 per cent of fires in the home start within the kitchen. This is often because people get distracted while cooking; they answer the phone, or they cook when they are tired or have had an alcoholic drink but these types are fires are easily preventable
In the event of a cooking fire, turn off the heat under a pan or grill if it is safe to do so; close the door to contain the fire and smoke damage; get out of the house; call the fire and rescue service out and stay out. Do not attempt to tackle the fire.
Get Out, Stay Out, DIAL 999
Make sure working smoke alarms are fitted on each level of your home. Test smoke alarms weekly and do not be tempted to remove the batteries for any other purpose.
You can download a copy of the campaign leaflet and for any enquiries regarding the campaign, please contact Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service North area offices on 01246 233500 (Chesterfield Office); 01298 22274 (Buxton Office).
For further Fire Safety information please visit the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue website
Last Updated on Friday, 15 February 2013 11:50
