North Wales Fire Service have issued safety advice to Students after they were called to a kitchen fire at a halls of residence at Bangor University on Wednesday, 2 October.
The fire occurred when an oil pan overheated, but there are no reports of any injuries.
The basic fire safety information is aimed at keeping students and their housemates as safe as possible.
If you live in private rented accommodation, your landlord has an obligation to keep you safe from fire. You should have working smoke alarms fitted, close fitting doors and adequate means of escape from all areas.
Free alarm check for those in private rented houses
North Wales Fire Serivice offer a free safe and well check to ensure that your rented homes are as safe as they should be.
This service is completely free, and is a great way to help make sure you have the best chance of escaping should the worst happen and a fire breaks out in your home.
If you live in North Wales, the Fire Service also offer you a free smoke alarm and installation service and a home safety check that will help to keep you safe from fire.
The free safe and well check takes about 20 minutes and will be arranged at your convenience. Fully trained fire and rescue service staff, who always carry an identification card, will:
- Supply and install lifesaving, free home smoke detectors or ensure that your existing alarms are in working order
- Provide advice on how to make your home safe from fire
- Help you prepare an escape plan to assist you and your family in safely making your way out of the property in the event of fire
- Provide specialised equipment for deaf and hard of hearing people
- Assess whether you are at high risk and may benefit from specialist equipment to help keep you safe
Stuart Millington, Senior Fire Safety Manager, said: “We have seen the devastation that fires can cause first hand and know that a few simple precautions could have prevented countless tragedies. Don’t let tragedy strike your family – stop the fire from starting in the first place.”
For more information visit: https://www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk/keeping-you-safe/at-home/free-smoke-alarm/
Use these checklists to help prevent fires in your home
- Do a bedtime safety check. You are almost three times more likely to be killed in a fire that starts during the night.
- Switch off and unplug all appliances. (Only leave on those appliances that are designed to be left on – for example, DVD players/video recorders, freezers and clock radios.)
- Check that the oven, grill and hob are switched off.
- Don’t leave the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher running overnight (they are a fire risk because of their high wattage, friction and motors).
- Turn off all gas and electric heaters, and put a guard in front of an open fire.
- Check that candles are out. Never leave one burning when you go to sleep.
- Make sure that any cigarettes, cigars and pipes have been put out properly, and never smoke in bed. You could fall asleep and accidentally set fire to your bedding.
- Close all doors. By shutting doors you can keep your escape route free from fire. This is particularly important in homes where you would not be able to escape from a window, for example if you live in a high-rise flat.
- Turn off your electric blanket (unless it has a thermostat and is designed to be left on overnight).
- Check that your escape route is clear of obstacles and make sure door and window keys are in the right place.
- Before buying nightwear, visit www.dti.gov.uk for guidance on labelling. A label that reads ‘low flammability’ does not indicate a completely flameproof product.
