MORE than 2,200 homes in Clare are without working smoke alarms – a total of 4% of the entire housing stock in the county.
This National Fire Safety Week, Clare County Fire and Rescue Services are once again highlighting the importance of installing and checking home smoke alarms, while also advising the public on other lifesaving fire safety tips.
Clare Chief Fire Officer Adrian Kelly said that while Fire Safety Week proves extremely effective in helping to focus the public’s mind on fire safety, Clare County Fire and Rescue Service are also working in the community offering support and advice on fire prevention all year round.
“This year we have been working with community organisations and public bodies in an effort to engage with vulnerable groups within our county, offering them advice and support. Among the bodies supporting this initiative are the County Library Service, Age Friendly Ireland and Limerick Clare Educational Training Board,” he said.
“This weekend Clare County Fire and Rescue Service will be holding open days at all our stations during Fire Safety Week. We encourage members of the public of all ages to attend these to engage with the local crews who will be available to answer questions in relation to fire safety.”
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Kieran Greene explained that this year’s National Fire Safety Week aims to enhance fire safety, particularly in the home.
“In the new blended working world, many of us are spending more time at home so it is more important than ever that we are all informed as to the steps we can take to protect ourselves and our homes from fire. Our focus will be on preventing fires in the home by understanding their common causes and taking steps to stop them before they start,” he said.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Greene also warned that incidences of serious house fires are much higher for older people living alone.
“As always we will be asking people to check in on vulnerable neighbours, while continuing to remind people of the need to take fire safety precautions in their own homes. Data released by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management (NDFEM) in the Republic of Ireland revealed that smoking materials were the most common cause of fatality in Ireland, and over 60% of fire fatalities were among those aged 65 and over.”
As part of National Fire Safety Week Clare County Fire and Rescue Service will be holding open days at all our stations this weekend.
Local crews will answer questions in relation to fire safety and promote some of their fire safety initiatives These include facilitating a home fire safety check and advice to vulnerable sections of the community and fitting fire alarms if there is a requirement.
Clare Fire Safety Open Days will take place this Saturday from 10am to 4pm at Ennis Fire Station, Shannon Fire Station, Scarriff Fire Station, Kilrush Fire Station and Kilkee Fire Station. While on Sunday from 10am to 4pm there will be open days at Ennistymon Fire Station and Killaloe Fire Station.
Andrew Hamilton is a journalist, investigative reporter and blogger who has been working in the media in Ireland for the past 20 years. His areas of special interest include the environment, mental health and politics.