NIFRS reminds local commuity to think ‘Safety First’ during Giro

Protecting the community is Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service’s (NIFRS) number one priority and NIFRS is using the Giro d’Italia Road Race as an opportunity to remind the local community in the Causeway area to think ‘safety first’ to help protect themselves and their families from the dangers of fire in the home and to be extra careful when out and about on the roads.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th May 2014, 12:00 BST

Dale Ashford, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said: “The safety and wellbeing of our community is always our top priority. The local community can be confident that their fire and rescue service will ensure that normal emergency cover is maintained during the Giro d’Italia, but I would appeal to the public not to become complacent about their fire or road safety during this major event and should always think ‘safety first’.

“Every household should have working smoke alarms. Getting into the habit of checking your smoke alarms are working may just save your life. Check they are working once a week by pressing the button. A working smoke alarm will provide you and your family with an early warning to fire in the house to give you the best possible chance of escape.

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“Plan your escape route. Everyone should know what to do in a fire. If a fire occurs at night your escape will be hindered by dark or difficult conditions. If you have already planned an escape route and everyone knows what to do, escaping safely will be much easier.

“We offer a Free Home Fire Safety Check, whereby local Firefighters will visit your home to carry out a fire safety check. Firefighters will check for appliances that could cause fire, help with any actions to avoid fire and most importantly ensure that your smoke alarm is working. If necessary we will fit a free smoke alarm for you.

“With the Giro expected to draw a significant number of visitors and spectators, people should be prepared to experience extra traffic on the roads in and around the Causeway and across the route areas. We want everyone to enjoy this exciting event for Northern Ireland and would urge every single road user, whether driver, rider, passenger or pedestrian to take personal responsibility for their actions on the roads to help keep everyone safe - slow down, wear your seatbelt, never drink/take drugs and drive and pay attention.

“In the event of a genuine emergency the public should always dial 999 for fire and rescue service assistance.

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For further Fire and Road Safety advice visit the NIFRS website www.nifrs.org or follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/nifrsofficial and Twitter @nifrsofficial.

To arrange a free Home Fire Safety Check call 028 9260 0477, Text phone/Minicom 028 9262 8800.

Related topics:NIFRSFire