Fire Service supplies more than 8,000 smoke alarms to vulnerable residents
In 2020, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service’s Prevention team carried out 5,006 home fire safety visits to vulnerable people in Essex where they fitted 7,142 smoke alarms including 838 sensory alarms.
The team also supplied 942 smoke alarms during doorstep deliveries for people without working smoke alarms in their home during the pandemic.
The Service offers home fire safety advice to any resident in Essex and can give detailed home fire safety visits to individuals homes. The team can identify risks in the home, giving advice on how to stay safe and ensuring there is a working smoke alarm on every level of the home.
During the pandemic, the team has adapted to government guidelines to ensure it can still visit the homes of the most vulnerable people in Essex while wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and was able to fit 7,142 smoke alarms.
For those less vulnerable who still need working smoke alarms, the Service has been offering doorstep advice on how to fit smoke alarms while dropping off 942 smoke alarms during the pandemic for residents to fit themselves.
Will Newman, Head of Prevention at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “We want every home in Essex to have a working smoke alarm on every floor. If you or someone you know doesn’t have working smoke alarms at home, please get in touch so we can see how best to provide fire safety advice, either through a Home Safety Visit or advice over the phone. You can get in touch with us at essex-fire.gov.uk/book.
“We also offer sensory smoke alarms that include a vibrating pad for people with sensory impairments. Essex has one of the largest sensory impaired communities across the UK and we want to ensure that everyone in our county has the same protection from working smoke alarms.
“Make sure to test your smoke alarms regularly, we recommend at least once a month. Check in on family and friends who might not be able to test their smoke alarms easily.”
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service offers free home fire safety advice, you can contact the team at essex-fire.gov.uk/book or by calling 0300 303 0088.
Page last updated 23 March, 2021