National Fire Safety Week

National Fire Safety Week aims to enhance fire safety, particularly in the home and runs in early October each year. It is jointly run with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.  

In 2021, 20 people died in Ireland as a result of fire. House fires account for most fire fatalities. Both the very young and the elderly are particularly vulnerable.

The National Fire Safety Week campaign not only encourages people to have smoke alarms and test them but also for the wider community to look out for each other – especially those most vulnerable and at risk. 

National Fire Safety Week focuses on these key messages: 

• Have a fire escape plan, teach it to your family and practise it regularly 
• Smoke alarms should be tested regularly; as soon as it beeps – change the batteries or replace the alarm
• Most people who die in fires die from smoke inhalation and not from burns, and it can take as little as 3 minutes to die from smoke inhalation 
• Incidences of serious house fires are much higher for older people living alone. Ensure they have working smoke alarms, are mindful of their fire safety and that they have a plan should a fire occur 
• The importance of the safe disposal after use of smoking materials, especially before bed
• The importance of a routine fire safety check - this only takes a few minutes but could mean the difference between life and death. 

Anyone interested in looking for more information can visit FireIreland.ie.