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Knowing what to do when your fire alarm goes off was the central message today as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, officially launched National Fire Safety Week 2022 in Dublin Fire Brigade’s Training Centre in Marino.
National Fire Safety Week, (17 - 23 October), jointly run with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, seeks to raise awareness among the public of measures to prevent fires, particularly in the home. This year’s National Fire Safety Week theme is "Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives – Have you a plan if yours goes off?” Today’s announcement marks the beginning of an advertising campaign to educate the public of safety measures to prevent fire and of key steps to take should a fire break out.
This week’s emphasis on fire safety is being mirrored north and south as Fire Services both here and in Northern Ireland are urging the public to engage with the necessity to have a working smoke alarm and to have a plan in case it goes off. In Northern Ireland, the campaign is operating under the theme of “Safer Together”.
The key advice from the government’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Services is that all family members young and old should know what do if the alarm goes off, where to assemble and to call 999 or 112 to alert local fire services.
The latest data released by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) reveal that 20,545 fires were attended to by fire brigades in 2021. The reported data finds that chimney fires (including flues, soot and hot ashes) are the top cause of fire, accounting for more than 50% of fires in domestic buildings.
With the cost of living and energy prices high in the minds of many households this winter, the NDFEM also advises members of the public to have their chimneys and flues cleaned regularly, use a sparkguard and ensure the fire is safely burned down before going to bed.
Overloaded sockets is another common cause of fire and the NDFEM reminds people to use high quality extensions, repair or replace faulty appliances and not to run electrical appliances while sleeping.
Members of the public should familiarise themselves with fire safety advice by visiting the Fire Safety Week website.
Speaking at today’s launch Minister O’Brien said:
“The advice to the public ahead of winter is clear: make sure you’ve a working smoke alarm and a plan in place within your household should a fire break out. I would encourage everyone to take the opportunity of Fire Safety Week to engage with the campaign and take the simple steps necessary to safeguard your home.”
Addressing the important work of the fire services, Minister O’Brien added:
“It’s been an incredibly difficult couple of weeks for our emergency services following the awful tragedy in Creeslough Co. Donegal. I’d like to commend the work of our fire and emergency services, particularly those in Co. Donegal and our partners in the Northern Ireland Fire Service for all of their efforts. They, like all of our Fire Services throughout the country, play a crucial role in keeping us all safe and in providing essential support and leadership at times of great tragedy and crisis.”
Chief Fire Officer Dennis Keeley of Dublin Fire Brigade said:
“The most effective fire precaution you can have is a working smoke alarm. Make sure you have one. Better still have two - one upstairs, one downstairs. Check your smoke alarms which together with an escape plan are the most effective ways of saving life in the event of a fire occurring. And if you know somebody who is without a smoke alarm you should inform them of just how important having one is.
"I would advise the public to check your routines with respect to fire safety in the home. Pay special attention to chargers, making sure they’re unplugged at night and bedroom doors are closed. Be careful with candles or replace with LED ones. This winter will be challenging for us all and we urge the public to heed the advice of this campaign to prevent fires in the home.”
Aidan Jennings, Assistant Chief Fire & Rescue Officer of Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said:
“As the cost of living increases we want to ensure that people don’t put themselves at additional fire risk to deal with rising costs this winter. We know that many people are under significant pressure at the minute as the cost of living increases and that many households may be facing large fuel bills this winter, and so may put themselves at additional fire risk to deal with rising costs.
"Please keep warm safely- if you’re planning on using a portable heater or electric blanket check them first, make sure they have no frayed cables or damaged or loose wiring. Keep portable heaters well away from flammable items such as sofas, curtains and bedding.”
More details on Fire Safety Week can be accessed on the Fire Safety Week website.
National Fire Safety Week (17-23 October) is run jointly with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and is about enhancing fire safety. The theme chosen for this year are “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives – Have a plan if yours goes off?” and in Northern Ireland it is “Safer Together”.
National Fire Safety Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on October 8, 1871. The former American President, Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week in 1925 in memory of those who perished in that fire. Since then, in early October, it has been observed each year in countries around the world. 148 years on from the Great Chicago Fire, the message regarding fire prevention and fire safety is as relevant today as ever it was.
The TV and radio advertisement campaign for Fire Safety Week is the beginning of an intensive media advertising campaign, which will run throughout the winter months until spring.
The public can access information on fire safety as below.