Take 15-minutes to protect your family from fire

We're urging people to complete our online fire safety check after statistics revealed there have been over 400 accidental house fires across Staffordshire in the past year. Most of these fires were preventable.

The newly-launched Home Fire Safety Check allows residents to complete a short online check in the comfort of their home to ensure they and their family are as safe as possible from the risk of fire. 

It comes after we responded to more than 400 accidental house fires across Staffordshire in the past year. 

The online interactive survey only takes around 15-minutes to complete, around the same time as loading the dishwasher, sorting the laundry or changing your bedding, and could help prevent a fire in your home.

The check is interactive and has practical advice focused on real-life situations that are tailored to each individual home.

Head of Prevent, Protect and Partnerships, Ian Read, said: “Most people know the importance of fire safety however most people don’t take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones.

“Nationally there have been a number of tragic house fires in recent months involving families, in which children have sadly died. This acts as a timely reminder as to why fire safety is so important. 

“The check only takes around 15-minutes, is completely free and should be done annually, so it is time well spent and the reassurance that your home is safe is priceless.

“In around 20 per cent of the house fires we attended last year, the home either had no smoke alarm, or a smoke alarm that did not work, which figures show makes you eight times more likely to die in a fire.

“So, as you sit down on the sofa to relax this evening, or while you’re waiting for your child to finish school, instead of potentially scrolling social media, why not protect your family and home from fire by completing the online check?”

If you are identified as being high risk after completing the check, you will be referred to the service for a Home Fire Safety Visit, where one of our technicians will visit your home, assess any risks, give you personalised fire safety advice and fit free smoke alarms and heat detectors where appropriate.

To complete the online check, visit HFSC.