Kildare Fire Service urges every household to have a working smoke alarm

Kildare Fire Service has used the occasion of National Fire Safety Week to urge everyone in Co Kildare to have working smoke alarms in their house and to test them regularly.

National Fire Safety Week aims to enhance fire safety, particularly in the home.

This year, for Fire Safety Week, the focus will be on Community Fire Safety, highlighting the importance of looking out for one another and supporting the more vulnerable members of the community.

By sharing simple, practical fire safety advice/tips with neighbours, friends and family, we can all play a part in keeping our communities Fire Safe. Here are some key fire safety tips:

- Fit a smoke alarm in every room (except the bathroom and the garage) to protect your home.
- Get your chimney cleaned and your heating system serviced once a year.
- Always use a sparkguard with open fires.
- Keep a suitable fire extinguisher and fire blanket in the kitchen.
- Empty ashtrays before you go to bed. Run the contents under the tap before you bin them, and never ever smoke in bed, or if you’re tired or on medication.
- Fix or replace faulty electrical appliances straightaway.
- Do a quick fire safety check before bedtime.
- Close all doors at night.
- By regularly doing routine fire safety checks, following the STOP Fire steps, and by encouraging others to do the same, we can raise awareness of fire safety and safeguard our homes and our communities. Once a fire starts, it can be relentless, so it’s crucial to do everything possible to prevent one.

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