Do you live alone?
People who live alone are nearly 4 times more likely to die or be seriously injured in a fire. In the past five years alone there have been 741 accidental house fires in properties where the occupier lived alone and was aged 45 plus. Sadly 13 of these fires proved fatal. Throughout the year we will be offering fire safety advice on a range of topics in an attempt to reduce the number of incidents involving people who live alone.
We are focusing on cooking safety first after figures revealed that a massive 72 per cent of accidental house fires involving people who lived alone, started in the kitchen.
Those who live alone are nearly 4 times more likely to be seriously injured or die in a fire.
Check your risk in the kitchen and make cooking safely your new habit
Do you always look when you cook?
It is easy to get distracted when cooking but we recommend that you look when you cook. Take any pans off the heat if you have to leave the room. If your pan does catch fire do not remove or attempt to extinguish it. Get out!
Setting a timer using your phone, egg timer or oven timer helps to keep track of your cooking. When you have finished cooking, double check that you have turned off the oven, hob or grill.
If the answer is yes, we recommend that you ditch the pan and use an electric fryer instead.
Do you keep your oven and grill clean?
A build-up of fat and grease may catch fire. Clean your grill and oven regularly.
Do you cook after having a few alcoholic drinks?
Getting a takeaway is safer and will reduce your risk of having a fire.
Do you use matches or lighters to light gas cookers?
Use spark devices instead.
Do you wear loose clothing when cooking?
Take care as loose clothing can easily catch fire, particularly when using the hob.
Enter our safety star competition
We’re looking for young people between the ages of 5 and 11 to encourage people living on their own to think about their fire safety to reduce accidents in the home.
Take part for the chance to win a visit to a fire station.
Get further advice to help you stay safe in your home
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service offer a Safe and Well visit for those residents who qualify to ensure they are safe at home. For those that do not fit the criteria, a tailored help and advice service is offered instead.
Staffordshire residents who may be eligible for a Safe and Well visit are:
- Those aged 65+ living alone
- Those with mobility issues
- Those who have a history of house fires
- Those who smoke inside their property
- Households with children under the age of five
For Safe and Well advice and guidance contact the Contact Centre on 0800 0241 999.
Residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can text a request or enquiry to the following telephone number - 07528 983 101.
For more information please visit our Safe and Well Service page.