Fire risk

Did you know that as a practitioner you can refer a person you are working with for a Home Fire Safety Check through Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS)? 

We have seen an increase across the region in the number of fire fatalities and fire related injuries. There are various factors which increase a persons risk such as:

• age
• mobility
• smoking
• alcohol use
• use of paraffin-based emollient creams
• self-neglect
• hoarding
• mental health
• living alone and isolation

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) have added more health and wellbeing elements to their standard home fire safety checks. The Home Fire Safety Check visits aim to identify all fire and lifestyle associated hazards in order to reduce the risk of having a fire or accident in the home.

Gateshead SAB partners have worked with TWFRS to deliver various methods of fire safety education and protection advice and will fit appropriate smoke, heat detection and safety systems which include specialised equipment for the deaf and hard of hearing. 

Advice is tailored to the person's circumstances and needs and the visit will include:

• fire escape plans
• kitchen and cooking safety
• electrical safety
• smoking safety
• candle safety

To complete the home fire safety check (opens new window) as a practitioner on behalf of a client, enter the postcode of the person's property, then select the "No - I am completing this check for someone else" tile, then select the "Approved Referrer/ Partner Agency" tile, and complete the form.

Resources

• Safe and well poster with QR code (PDF, 434 KB)(opens new window)
• Safe and well check wallet card (PDF, 1 MB)(opens new window)
• Fire risk checklist (PDF, 10 MB)(opens new window)

Information for the public

Anyone can complete the home fire safety check (opens new window) for themselves and receive tailored information, advice and guidance on how to make their home safer.