How safe is your home? (From Warrington Guardian)

How safe is your home?

COULD your house go up in smoke?

None of us think our homes are unsafe but how can we be sure? Free fire safety checks from Warrington's fire service are the answer.

Anyone can apply to have firefighters look around their home, fit free smoke alarms, give potentially life-saving tips - and save you money.

Gerry McCabe, sub officer at Stockton Heath fire station said: "We go through every room in the house and check if there are any dangers from fire, such as over loaded plugs, defective cables, are they using electrical appliances in the bathroom?

"It doesn't matter how careful you are, things can go wrong. These checks make people's homes safer and give reassurance that people will know how to get out if the worst happens."

His tips seem obvious but as Clr Ted Lafferty who accompanied the firefighters on one home visit said: "They are logical but we just don't think of them."

Clr Ted Finnegan, also on the visit, said: "They are a great initiative and I would encourage people to contact the fire service."

The firefighters recommend shutting off and unplugging TVs at night, adding that leaving one on stand-by costs £12 a year.

If people are profoundly deaf they can arrange a deaf survey, get deaf alarms fitted and arrange for other assistance.

Officers also emphasize that their checks and the fitting of smoke alarms with a 10-year life span are free. Gerry McCabe said: "If anyone tries to sell you anything, it is not Cheshire Fire Brigade."

To book a free fire safety check, call 639129.