DON'T COME HOME TO A FIRE

Holiday fire safety advice from the London Fire Brigade

Picture the scene. You've just returned from holiday sun-tanned and relaxed and there before you is the nightmare sight of your burned out home.

Brigade fire safety expert Graham Barber offers the following advice to Londoners to prevent this nightmare from becoming a reality.

Before leaving home:
• Switch off and unplug unnecessary equipment. Most freezers, fridges and video recorders are designed to be left on safely but if you don't have any of those, switch the electricity off at the mains.
• Turn the water off at the mains. Water from a leaking pipe or overflowing cistern could short out electrical wiring and cause a fire.
• Close down the gas supply at the mains unless you have gas-powered appliances which need to be left on.
• Let a neighbour know you are going away and leave a key with them.
• Close all doors and windows, especially the internal doors so if fire breaks out its spread will be slowed down.
• Check your smoke alarm(s).

While you are away, you can't afford to forget fire safety in the holiday accommodation.

At a hotel or guest house:
• Get to know your surroundings in case you have to leave in a hurry.
• Find the nearest fire exit, extinguisher, hose reel and fire alarm.
• Read the Fire Instructions in your room or at reception.
• Ask where the fire assembly point is.
• Never leave a lit cigarette or pipe unattended and don't smoke in bed.

In a caravan or at a camp site.
• Use cooking equipment and gas cylinders in the way manufacturers recommend.
• If you cook over an open fire, build it well away from tents and caravans, especially in windy weather, and make sure the fire is properly out at night or when you leave.
• Don't use cooking equipment or naked flames in smaller tents. If you use them in family-size tents, keep them well away from the tent walls or anything else which could burn and away from draughts.

Contacts:
Fire safety advice: Graham Ellis, Station Commander, Soho Fire Station graham.ellis@london-fire.gov.uk
All press releases, plus a wide range of information on the Brigade and LFEPA, are available at http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/
NB: A regularly up-dated 24 hour news bulletin is available by ringing 09068 518191. Calls cost 39p per minute cheap rate and 49p per minute at all other times.

See also:
• Soho Fire Station.
• Fire safety advice for restaurants
• fire safety advice for householders

 

[ Home | About | Advice | Cartoons | Contact | Gallery | Handbook | Links | News | Newsletters | Sponsors ]

Web site developed by Liam Delahunty of Mega Products Ltd. Web site hosted by Britstream
 

We recommend using this site with Firefox plus the Google Toolbar.

Cheap Summer Holidays Get the summer holiday you’re after, and save money in the process. Find lists of options on ULookUBook.	flights to puerto rico Holiday Hypermarket offers you excellent deals on flights to Puerto Rico. Enjoy the best of the Gran Canaria.	Cheap Portugal Holidays Hotels of all ratings! Find information on cheap Portugal holidays at On The Beach!	last minute holidays in turkey You'll find last minute holidays in Turkey if you visit Book Cheap Holidays. We'll help you save!	painters london Battling to find good painters in London? On Qype you will not only find the right painters, but anything else too.
Admin Jobs Are you looking for admin jobs immediately? Well check online at Gumtree to see what work is available. Looking to find people to fill admin jobs. Simply post an ad online.	ibiza holidays The Casita Verde (green heart) project proves that Ibiza is not just glamour and beach.	london hotels Coming to London for business or vacation? Here is a site to help you find London hotels.	Taxis UK On SheriffRatings.com you will easily see who are the best rated UK taxis & cabs.	Eating Out London Come and find the best places to eat out in London. Travel by tube and explore the Living City - Tired of London Tired of LIFE!