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Business Safety

Business Safety

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is committed to providing advice and information about fire safety issues and legislation to all businesses across Essex.

On these pages you will find a range of information and links to…

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Online Home Fire Safety Check

Online Home Fire Safety Check

In a bid to reduce the number of house fires in Essex we are encouraging everyone to complete the online home fire safety check to evaluate your own fire risk at home. By answering some simple questions about your home, lifestyle,&nbsp…

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Fire Safety Officer fitting smoke alarm on ceiling

Home Safety Advice

The best way to stay safe from fire is to understand the common risks and how to reduce them in your home.

 

Fires can start in any room and the effects can be devastating. Knowing how to reduce the risk of fire in your home can help to keep everyone safe.

Here are our 10 top tips for staying safe:

  1. Make sure you have smoke alarms on every floor of your home
  2. Smoke alarms save lives, but only if they are working. Please test smoke alarms regularly
  3. Take extra care in the kitchen and never leave cooking unattended
  4. Avoid using a chip pan or any other pan filled with hot oil
  5. Don’t overload electric sockets – most can only take a maximum of 13 amps
  6. Keep matches and lighters away from children
  7. Keep clothes well away from heaters and open fires
  8. Put out cigarettes properly and dispose of them carefully
  9. Don’t charge items such as mobile phones, tablets or e-cigarettes overnight
  10. Plan an escape route and make sure everyone knows how to get out in the event of a fire

Don't forget we offer free home visits to anyone living in Essex. If you do not have working smoke alarms, or have working smoke alarms but would like more information about how to live safely and securely at home, book one of our free visits today. Call 0300 303 0088 or visit www.essex-fire.gov.uk/book.

Fire safety equipment at home

We often get asked if homeowners should have a fire extinguisher to use in the event of a fire. And while it may help you feel safer, we don't encourage you to tackle fires and out yourself at risk Fires can quickly get out of control and spread very quickly, so we recommend that if you have a fire at home to get out, stay our and call the fire service out. The best piece of equipment to keep yourself safe is smoke alarm.

Do you know how to test your smoke alarm?

A working smoke alarm is the number one way to protect your family from the risk of fire. Checking it at least once a month and making sure you can hear it properly is just as important as installing it!

Visit our YouTube channel for more helpful tips about how you can stay safe at home, 

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Cooking

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Cooking is one of the major causes of fires at home. In fact, in 2022 1 in 3 accidental house fires started because of cooking and cooking appliances.

Electrical

Women's hands resetting a fuse box on the wall
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Electrical appliances, plugs and cables that are old or poorly wired can be a real danger in your home

Escape Routes

Series of terraced new builds at dusk
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A well-practised escape route plan could help save your life if a fire starts in your home.

Carbon Monoxide

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Carbon monoxide poisoning is often called the silent killer as, without a carbon monoxide detector, it’s difficult to detect the poisonous gas.

High-rise accommodation

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It's important to understand what to do in the event of a fire, whether it’s in your flat or somewhere else in the building.

Safety advice for parents and guardians

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We're urging parents and guardians to take fire safety precautions with younger children and to educate older children about fire safety.

Book a home safety visit

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We offer free home safety visits to any Essex resident and we willl provide and fit smoke alarms completely free of charge.

Online home safety check

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Start your check
Complete our online home safety check to evaluate your own fire risk at home.
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Online Home Fire Safety Check
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Living safe and well at home, ECFRS offers home fire safety advice
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Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters

Kelvedon Park
Rivenhall
Witham
Essex
CM8 3HB

Emergencies: 999

HQ Tel: 01376 576000 HQ

Tel: 0300 3035555

Fax: 01376 570466

Do not report emergencies to our HQ. To report an emergency please call 999.

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