Cost of Living - Stay Fire Safe
All Fire and Rescue Services in Wales and Public Health Wales are urging people to take simple steps to protect themselves from accidental fires and carbon monoxide poisoning as they look to keep warm and cut energy use this winter.
The call comes following concerns from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) that the cost of living rise will mean people may turn to alternative ways of heating and lighting their homes.
All Welsh Fire and Rescue Services are supporting NFCC’s Stay Fire Safe campaign to provide advice to help reduce fire risks in the home.
The campaign includes encouraging people to contact their local Fire and Rescue Service to request a Safe and Well Check for themselves or their loved ones.
These checks are prioritised for those most at risk of a fire in the home and can involve home safety practitioners getting in contact to run through a list of questions, followed by a visit which may involve the installation of free alarms.
Read the full press release - Welsh Fire and Rescue Services urge residents to ‘Stay Fire Safe’ this winter
Stay safe this winter
Download a PDF of our winter safety leaflet
NFCC Cost of Living booklet
Download a PDF of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)'s cost of living leaflet
Do you get the Winter Fuel Payment?
Download a PDF of Dwr Cymru's winter fuel payment leaflet
For information on getting help with your bills
please visit the Welsh Government website
Tips to help keep residents fire safe:
- Check any heating appliances are in good working order and not subject to a product recall by checking the Office for Product Safety and Standards website for any alerts or recalls.
- Ensure flammable items such as furniture and drying clothes are placed well away from heaters and fires.
- Ensure you use the correct fuel for woodburning stoves and open fires –to reduce the risk of toxic fumes, chimney fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
- If you have an open fire, please ensure that you use a guard around it, to help prevent any material igniting a fire in your home and to keep children and pets away from it.
- Avoid buying fake and counterfeit electrical goods, which may cause electrical fires.
- If your smoke alarm does not appear to be working and you have checked the batteries, please arrange for it to be replaced or repaired.
- Check your escape routes, make sure they are clear from clutter and items such as portable heaters are not blocking them.
- If possible don’t skip servicing of boilers and gas appliances by a Gas Safe engineer to prevent gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Landlords must arrange for an annual gas safety check in rented accommodation.
- If you’re a homeowner check your energy provider’s website for information about their Priority Services Register – if you’re eligible they often offer a free annual gas safety check along with other support.
To request a Safe and Well Check:
Call 0800 169 1234, text 07507303678 or click here.