Fire prevention and safety reinforced in Milnafua
People in the Milnafua area of Alness are being offered free home fire safety visits by officers of the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service.
Following recent house fires in Ross and Cromarty, Highland Council’s Housing Service Community Wardens and the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service have identified a need to raise awareness among the community of fire safety in the home.
Highland Council’s Community Wardens will assist Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service to distribute leaflets in the Milnafua area offering a free home safety visit. The leaflet has also been translated into Polish for local Polish residents.
Tracey Urry, Highland Council’s Ross and Cromarty Area Housing Manager said: “As a landlord, Highland Council is obviously responsible for the safety of the electrical wiring and heating systems in our properties, but is not responsible for the safety of individual home appliances, such as TVs, kettles, and washing machines. I would therefore encourage all tenants in Milnafua to take up the offer of a free home fire safety check.”
Local Highland Councillor Carolyn Wilson said: “I am delighted that our Community Wardens and the Fire and Rescue Service are looking out for the safety of our tenants. Fire can ruin people’s lives, but with a little extra care, hopefully these safety checks will provide some reassurance to anyone with concerns.”
The leaflet to local residents highlights that UK suffers more than 550 fatalities and 13,000 injuries in over 64,000 dwelling fires each year.
The Highland Council and the Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service believe that the majority of fires in the home are preventable and many of the effects can be avoided if the right precautions are taken so that fires can be prevented altogether.
Robert Scott, Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service, Fire Safety Officer, said: “We strongly recommend that people in Milnafua take advantage of this initiative. To receive a home fire safety visit they should contact 01349 852341.
-ends-