Welcome from the Chief

 

 

 

 

Welcome to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Our aim is to protect communities before emergencies occur and to provide a professional, efficient and effective fire and rescue service for all who live, work and travel throughout North Wales.

2010 has got off to an extremely cold start, with many saying this has been the longest cold spell for over 30 years.

As it gets colder it's inevitable that we all spend more time indoors staying as cosy as possible. You might take additional measures to keep warm such as heaters, open fires and wood burning stoves but these may bring an increased risk of fire into the home. By following some simple rules you can ensure you stay safe and warm.

We are here to help and offer advice. If you are in any doubt over any fire safety issues, please do get in touch. We all want to be warm in winter, but we must avoid tragedy.

There is also some simple advice you can follow to reduce your fire risk this winter, such as always using a fire guard to protect an open fire against flying sparks and hot embers. Also, make sure embers are under control and properly put out before you go out or go to bed.


Keep portable heaters away from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes and always unplug electric heaters when you go out and go to bed.

Electric blankets can help you keep warm during the cold nights, but fires can be devastating with 440 injuries resulting from every 1000 fires started by an electric blanket. Never use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric blanket, even if the blanket is switched off and ensure that you unplug blankets before you get into bed, unless they have a thermostat control for safe all-night use.

A number of people are using wheat bags to keep warm at the moment - our advice is only buy wheat bags with clear heating instructions and manufactures' contact details and only use as a heat pack for direct application to the body. Also, watch for overuse and do not overheat the bags.

As it is the start of the New Year, make it one of your resolutions to test your smoke alarm weekly and change the battery according to the manufacture's instructions. Working smoke alarms give you early warning of a fire and can save lives.

For a free home fire safety check, please call our 24 hour hotline on 0800 169 1234, click on the icon on this page or text 88365, ensuring you prefix your message with the word HFSC.

Simon Smith - Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive