Free fire safety check may just save your life (From Warrington Guardian)

Free fire safety check may just save your life

PEOPLE in Lymm are being urged to have a free fire safety check - that could save lives.

Lymm is one of the worst areas in the county for taking advantage of the free checks offered by the fire service to check smoke alarms are properly fitted and escape routes are planned.

Fire officers have called on the help of Lymm borough councillor Sheila Woodyatt to show how easy the test is, in a bid to encourage others to take part as well.

They did a 30-minute tour and check of her Oughtrington Lane address to make sure everything was working properly.

She said: "They did a marvellous job and check on the house.

"It is a free service, they only take half an hour and it could save your life so the parish council urges as many people as possible to take up the offer."

Sub officer Mike Hardman, from Stockton Heath Fire Station, said: "Fitting a smoke alarm is the simplest step you can take to reduce the risk of fire.

"Around 80 per cent of homes now have a smoke alarm, but there is no point in having one if it does not work.

"In 2002, firefighters in England and Wales attended more than 5,000 accidental house fires where alarms were fitted but failed to work.

"Imagine this for a moment: It could save you more than just time, waking up to the smell of smoke, seeing your hall and staircase filling with think, deadly black clouds of smoke and flames breaking through the kitchen or lounge door.

"It does not bear thinking about does it? But thinking about it and doing something about it can help to stop it happening.

"Cheshire Fire Service is offering you a home fire safety check, even if you have smoke alarms fitted, for they may be in the wrong place.

"The check will provide you with advice on what to do in case of fire in your home and just as importantly what you should be doing to prevent a fire in the first place.

"This service has already been paid for so it will cost nothing apart from around 30 minutes of your time."

To book an inspection, contact the community fire safety department on 639129 or Cheshire Fire Service headquarters on 01606 868700.