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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living: People urged to heat homes safely as energy costs soar | Cost of Living: People urged to heat homes safely as energy costs soar |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| People in Northern Ireland need to be aware of the dangers involved with heating their homes this winter, the fire and rescue service has warned. | People in Northern Ireland need to be aware of the dangers involved with heating their homes this winter, the fire and rescue service has warned. |
| As the cost of living continues to rise, for some it could mean turning to energy sources which have not been regularly serviced. | As the cost of living continues to rise, for some it could mean turning to energy sources which have not been regularly serviced. |
| Chimney sweep Craig Morrow told BBC News NI he recently worked on a chimney which had not been swept for 20 years. | Chimney sweep Craig Morrow told BBC News NI he recently worked on a chimney which had not been swept for 20 years. |
| In 2019/2020, the fire service attended 782 accidental house fires. | In 2019/2020, the fire service attended 782 accidental house fires. |
| This was down on 809 the previous year. | This was down on 809 the previous year. |
| There has also been a 50% decrease in house fire fatalities, with three recorded during the same period. That is down from six in 2018/19. | There has also been a 50% decrease in house fire fatalities, with three recorded during the same period. That is down from six in 2018/19. |
| However, firefighters have issued safety tips and a warning that if people turn to older electrical heaters or cut corners with servicing, there could be a fire risk. | However, firefighters have issued safety tips and a warning that if people turn to older electrical heaters or cut corners with servicing, there could be a fire risk. |
| Group Commander Suzanne Fleming said portable heaters that had not been used for some time is a particular concern. | Group Commander Suzanne Fleming said portable heaters that had not been used for some time is a particular concern. |
| Check the cable is not frayed and don't place the heater too close to a sofa or curtains, she warned. | Check the cable is not frayed and don't place the heater too close to a sofa or curtains, she warned. |
| "Open fires would be the other great risk," Ms Fleming continued. | "Open fires would be the other great risk," Ms Fleming continued. |
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| "If people try to use chimneys that haven't been used for some time they may actually be blocked," she told BBC News NI. | "If people try to use chimneys that haven't been used for some time they may actually be blocked," she told BBC News NI. |
| Turning to the dangers of carbon monoxide, the danger comes "with any fossil fuel that you burn". | Turning to the dangers of carbon monoxide, the danger comes "with any fossil fuel that you burn". |
| "It will make you drowsy and you won't know you're getting drowsy," the senior firefighter said. | "It will make you drowsy and you won't know you're getting drowsy," the senior firefighter said. |
| Chimney sweeps can be booked up months ahead | Chimney sweeps can be booked up months ahead |
| Craig Morrow, a chimney sweep who is based in Belfast, said "all it takes is one hot ember to go up the chimney" to cause a chimney fire. | Craig Morrow, a chimney sweep who is based in Belfast, said "all it takes is one hot ember to go up the chimney" to cause a chimney fire. |
| He advised that people should have chimneys swept at least once a year, or twice if it is in use during the summer. | He advised that people should have chimneys swept at least once a year, or twice if it is in use during the summer. |
| A chimney fire, he explained, can start when a type of soot called creosote forms. | A chimney fire, he explained, can start when a type of soot called creosote forms. |
| Wood-burning stoves, gas fires and Aga-type cooker chimneys also need to be cleaned, he added. | Wood-burning stoves, gas fires and Aga-type cooker chimneys also need to be cleaned, he added. |
| Mr Morrow warned that some people have turned to using chimneys which had been dormant for decades, partly due to it being a cheaper source of energy as prices rise. | Mr Morrow warned that some people have turned to using chimneys which had been dormant for decades, partly due to it being a cheaper source of energy as prices rise. |
| 'Test appliances' | 'Test appliances' |
| Gas engineer Gordon Glenn said boilers need to be regularly maintained. | Gas engineer Gordon Glenn said boilers need to be regularly maintained. |
| "Some insurance policies will make your home insurance null and void if your boiler has not been serviced once a year," he said. | "Some insurance policies will make your home insurance null and void if your boiler has not been serviced once a year," he said. |
| Carbon monoxide alarms too, as these will "usually last for seven years," he explained. | Carbon monoxide alarms too, as these will "usually last for seven years," he explained. |
| "It's a secondary level of householder safety. For the price of a carbon monoxide detector and a proper inspection by a qualified person it could save somebody's life. | "It's a secondary level of householder safety. For the price of a carbon monoxide detector and a proper inspection by a qualified person it could save somebody's life. |
| "You wouldn't ride a bike to Dublin that's been sitting for 12 months without checking the brakes first, so why would you use an appliance that hasn't been tested," he added. | "You wouldn't ride a bike to Dublin that's been sitting for 12 months without checking the brakes first, so why would you use an appliance that hasn't been tested," he added. |
| If you're having gas appliances serviced you'll need to find an engineer who's on the Gas Safe Register. | If you're having gas appliances serviced you'll need to find an engineer who's on the Gas Safe Register. |
| Firefighters are concerned people could be creating fire hazards by cutting back on costs | Firefighters are concerned people could be creating fire hazards by cutting back on costs |
| How to stay safe | How to stay safe |
| The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has compiled a list of safety measures for people to follow in their homes. | The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has compiled a list of safety measures for people to follow in their homes. |
| Those with chimneys that have not been used for a while must ensure they are not blocked. They must be serviced by a qualified person | Those with chimneys that have not been used for a while must ensure they are not blocked. They must be serviced by a qualified person |
| Always use a fire guard for an open fire | Always use a fire guard for an open fire |
| A carbon monoxide alarm must be in the same room as a fire - fires can produce carbon monoxide which you cannot see nor smell | A carbon monoxide alarm must be in the same room as a fire - fires can produce carbon monoxide which you cannot see nor smell |
| Portable heaters or electric blankets must be checked first - no frayed wires or damaged, loose wiring | Portable heaters or electric blankets must be checked first - no frayed wires or damaged, loose wiring |
| Do not overload plug sockets - this can cause overheating | Do not overload plug sockets - this can cause overheating |
| When using portable heaters do not place items in front of them - they can catch fire. Do not leave them unattended and turn them off before going to sleep | When using portable heaters do not place items in front of them - they can catch fire. Do not leave them unattended and turn them off before going to sleep |
| Do not dry clothes on portable heaters | Do not dry clothes on portable heaters |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service | Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service |
| Cost of living | Cost of living |
| UK fire safety | UK fire safety |