Calls for more fire safety awareness

Homes across Cork are being encouraged to install smoke alarms and test them regularly.

It comes as National Fire Safety Week continues until 12 October with the theme Smoke Alarms Save Lives.

Cork County Council’s Fire Service are mindful of the fact that people are spending more time in their homes as a result of remote working, cocooning and Covid-19 related restrictions. The fire service is encouraging people to assess fire safety measures in their homes and implement common sense safeguards where possible.

Cork County Council’s Chief Fire Officer Seamus Coughlan advised: “As part of a safety assessment, people should be mindful of whether they have sufficient smoke alarms installed and check that they are working. Alarms should be tested regularly. Has an escape plan been discussed your family or housemates? Just like in a place of work, it is vital that everyone at home knows where to go and what to do in the event of a fire. Get out, get the fire brigade out, stay out.”

He continued: “Ensure that everyone knows the Eircode in case they need to call 999 or 112 for the fire service. Memorise the code and consider keeping in it a safe place such as on the fridge, bedside locker or phone. Ask yourself when the chimney or stove flue were last cleaned. Over one quarter of the fire calls that Cork County Fire Service respond to are chimney fires.

“We strongly advise implementing simple safeguards such as spark guards, a night time routine of closing doors to reduce spread of fire and smoke, control of candles and preventing overloaded sockets.

“We also work alongside the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management to provide community groups with 1ten year battery operated smoke alarms for distribution and installation for elderly and vulnerable residents. I implore any interested groups to reach out to Cork County Council’s Fire Service at fireinfo@corkcoco.ie,” concluded Seamus.