9 February 2010, 10/28
Double fire safety bonus for your call!
Vulnerable older people who visit West Lancashire Borough
Council to apply for a travel concession are getting a fire safety
bonus at the same time!
The Council’s Customer Services Team is telling them that they
are entitled to a FREE home fire safety check under a new awareness
campaign in partnership with Lancashire Fire and Rescue.
According to statistics, the over 60s are most at risk of fires
and yet many don’t know that they can request to have a visit where
officers will give live-saving information, draw up a fire escape
plan, give practical advice on spotting hazards and even fit free
smoke alarms.
Many people aged 60 or over already contact the Council to find
out whether they can apply for travel discount schemes, so in a bid
to protect the elderly it seemed a perfect opportunity to tell them
about the free home fire safety checks too.
Since the partnership initiative started, the majority of older
people who the Council has spoken to have not been aware of this
service - and many have taken up the offer as a result.
Leader of the Council Cllr Ian Grant, said: "This is a fantastic
idea that has been received positively by some of our most
vulnerable customers who hadn’t been aware of this beneficial free
service that Lancashire Fire and Rescue offer. As this target group
already visit the Council to enquire about travel concessions we
thought we could help them and our partners by spreading the word
about this service. The majority of elderly residents have taken
advantage of the home fire safety checks and I’m confident that as
a result they will feel safer and more protected in their home and
this new procedure could well prevent possible fire tragedies in
the future."
Rachel Walker, Community Fire Safety Team Leader, added:
'Working with West Lancashire Borough Council has been an
invaluable partnership for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service as it
has enabled us to help vulnerable people by providing a free home
fire safety check. We offer a free service that will enable members
of the public to receive home fire safety advice including
practical advice on identifying hazards in the home, along with an
escape plan and the fitting of free 10-year battery smoke alarms.
To book a home fire safety check even the telephone call is free,
ring freephone 0800 169 1125."
For a free home fire safety check, contact the free phone number
0800 169 1125 or visit the website www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk
(external link).
For more information about the Council’s travel concession
options, visit the website www.westlancs.gov.uk/travelconcessions.
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