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Home fire safety checks

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service are committed to the reduction of accidental dwelling fires, as well as deaths and injuries that result from these fires. By identifying the potential for fires in the home, we can effectively prevent many avoidable fires from occurring. The Home Fire Safety Check (HFSC) can be considered a form of fire fighting, "extinguishing" fires before they start.

Two elements:

  • Fire safety advice given person to person, in the home, tailored to the occupier’s circumstances and aimed at eliminating hazards.
  • Where the provision of smoke alarms is below the recommended minimum level, we may be able to remedy this by fitting further smoke alarms free of charge, subject to eligibility.

Tough on fire, tough on the causes of fire!

The Service currently carry out HFSC’s following referrals. To expand on this, the Service has produced an online application form so any Warwickshire resident can apply for a safety check. Statistically certain groups of people in the community are at greater risk from fire. Priority will be given to these groups in order to maximise the Fire Service’s efforts to reduce avoidable fires and injuries. These groups are as follows:

  • Families with young children
  • Single parent families
  • People on low incomes
  • The elderly
  • People with a disability
  • People with a drug or alcohol dependency
  • Victims of dwelling fires
  • People living in Houses in Multiple Occupation

On completion of the HFSC request form a member of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service will contact you (normally by telephone), to arrange an appropriate appointment. Please be aware we do prioritise the visits based on circumstances.

Are you safe from fire? Print off a copy of our safety check list below:
Home fire safety checklist (pdf, 134Kb)
Ask yourself the questions, they identify some of the factors which can increase the risk of fire occurring in the home and also make an escape plan by using the PDF below:
Fire escape plan (pdf, 44Kb)

Advice for registered child minders

It is important that childminders know what to do in the event of a fire and that they make a fire plan. This should include ensuring that the escape routes are unobstructed and free from trip hazards, the means of raising the alarm in the event of fire, an evacuation plan with an external assembly point and how to call the fire brigade in the event of fire.
Further information for registered child minders (pdf 366kb)

Specialist smoke alarms

The Fire Service recognises the needs of the diverse community to which it serves and therefore, partnership working with other organisations such as Social Services ensures that appropriate equipment is provided for those with special needs.

For further information on others services offered for people with hearing difficulties visit Services for Deaf People

General information

A member of Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service may call at your premises on occasions without first making a prior appointment and personnel will work in pairs whenever possible. On arrival at your premises, the uniformed nominated personnel will introduce themselves and confirm the nature of their call. All personnel entering dwellings must be invited and will be able to show the occupier a current Warwickshire Fire and Rescue ID card.

If a fire appliance available for emergency calls is being used, the crew will inform the occupier that the visit may be prevented or interrupted by an emergency call.

Personnel carrying out the HFSC will not enter the property if young people are on their own, there is a man or woman inappropriately dressed, or if they feel compromised in any way. In all these cases we will call again when the occupier is home, or when it is more convenient.

A Home Fire Safety Check visit may take up to one hour per house. However, slightly more or less time may be required dependant on individual circumstances, type of property, and importantly the wishes of the occupier. At no time will personnel wander around the premise to carry out an inspection without a member of the household being present.