Fire Safety: A Necessary Strategy

There has been a tremendous upheaval in the measure of fire safety in the UK lately. Significantly, more education is being devoted on the subject of fire safety to all age groups and social strata. Fire safety has become better understood as a means to saving lives and protecting the family in times of danger.

Firstly, the Fire Associations are aiming to make home visitations more consistently, in order to inspect fire safety equipment and escape plans. Each brigade is trying to hire more firemen to pick up the overload of home inspections.

Homes are the main locale for fatal fires and their safety equipment and fittings must be duly inspected. It is reported that about 65% of homes and apartment buildings still do not have proper working smoke alarms or fire extinguishers. This lack of alarms is atrocious, in spite of all of the advertising and brochures that have been dropped off at all homes and businesses.

Secondly, education must be levelled at all age groups, starting with the very young. No later than the age of two, should a child be counselled about the dangers of fire, matches and the home fire escape plan. Upwards from that age, more information should be given as to the dangers of touching pans on the stove, plugging in too many appliances into one socket, how to use the fire ladder and the fire extinguisher.

By the time the child is in his pre-teens he should be thoroughly educated on fire safety, fire escape and removing fire hazards from around the house and yard.

Thirdly, businesses and places of employment also must take responsibility for their share in tackling fire safety. Treat your employees as an extended family to protect them from the dangers of fire. Have them learn a fire escape plan, check all fire protection equipment and remove any fire hazards. It might be an accident that a fire starts, but it is your responsibility if someone is hurt while working on your job site.

Fire Safety must become a number one concern for all persons in the UK. There still remain pockets of rural citizens and migrant workers who have not been heeding the word of caution in the case of fire safety. We must spread the word to these people, fit their homes with the smoke detectors and fire extinguishers and show them pictures of what fire can do. By reaching all areas of the UK we can respond to and educate those who are at most risk in the case of fire.