News release text
Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) will be joining in the fun this half-term while helping families find out how they can keep safe from fire.
Firefighters and community safety officers will be going to several community events and fun days that coincide with National Family Week (27 May to 2 June), to chat with parents and children about the main fire risks in the home and what they can do to avoid disaster.
Director of Service Delivery Steve Griffiths said: “Half term is a busy time for families and these events provide a good opportunity for our staff to pass on some potentially life-saving advice.
“Over half of the accidental fires we attend in homes start in the kitchen* but many of these fires could easily be avoided. The majority of these incidents are caused by distraction while cooking, or where a cooker or another cooking appliance has been accidently left on or switched on, leading to a fire that can have serious consequences.”
He added “It is essential that families have early warning to the outbreak of fire to give them valuable time to escape. This is why we continue to push the message wherever we can about the need for residents to have working smoke alarms on each floor of their home and that these are tested weekly to ensure they will sound when needed”.
Crews will also be highlighting the free services KFRS can offer including, where needed, free home safety visits. These take around 30 minutes and include advice on escape routes, night time safety routines and fire hazards in the home and, if needed, the fitting of free smoke alarms.
KFRS will be attending the following events:
Tuesday 28 May
Swanley Community fun day, at St Mary’s Recreation Ground from 11.00am to 3.30pm
Wednesday 29 May
Oakfield Park Parish fun day, Oakfield Park, Dartford 12.00 to 3.00pm
Friday 31 May
Park Farm community day, Ashford from 11.00 pm to 3.00pm
Saturday 1 June
Swan Centre Fun Day, Ashford from 12.00pm to 5pm
‘It’s a Knockout’ Pilgrims Hospice fund-raiser event, Recreation Ground, Minster, Thanet 10.30am to 4.00pm
Sunday 2 June
Folkestone Leas Family Fete, Folkestone Leas from 10am to 5.00pm.
Residents are advised to follow these tips to prevent fires in the kitchen:
Watch what you heat and don’t leave cooking unattended.
Turn saucepan handles so that they don’t stick out from the hob
Never fill a pan more than one third full of fat or oil. If the oil starts to smoke, do not begin cooking - remove from the heat and leave it to cool
Keep the oven, hob and grill clean - a build up of fat and grease can easily catch fire
Prevent children accidently turning on electric cookers by switching them off at the main after use
Fit smoke alarms on every floor of your home, and test the batteries weekly
If there is a fire, don’t take risks by tackling it yourself. Get out, stay out and call the fire and rescue service.
Click here for further advice on fire safety or contact KFRS on 0800 923 7000.
*Between April 2009 and November 2011, 56.3% of ADFs attended by KFRS were reported as beginning in the kitchen.
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