This article is from page 14 of the 2011-12-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
THE importance of fire safety awareness has been emphasized as new figures show that Clare County Fire and Rescue Service were mobilised to 110 incidents last Christmas.
They included 65 fires while Ennis Fire Brigade alone attended 52 incidents during the same period. The figures are contained in a report prepared chief fire officer Adrian Kelly.
Mr Kelly was responding to a motion tabled by councillor Brian Meaney (GP) at yesterday’s monthly meeting of Ennis Town Council.
Cllr Meaney stated “that this council request all homeowners to welcome this motion and want to emphasise the necessity of fire safety awareness in the home, not just during the Christmas period but throughout the year”.
Mr Kelly stated between December 2010 and January 2011 there were 18 fatalities in fires throughout the country.
He continued, “Fire alarms were either not present or working in the majority of cases. In Clare alone we had two fatalities in that period. Many more people have been injured while there were a large number of properties damaged by fire. This magnitude of fire deaths serves as stark reminder to us all of the importance of installing working smoke detectors and the need to have an escape plan should it be necessary to escape.”
He stated, “During the Christmas period, people spend a lot more time at home, open fires are used for longer periods, electrical items and extension leads are used more. Add in flammable decorations, candles and alcohol and it becomes apparent that the risks increase during the festive season.”
Mr Kelly added, “The main causes of fire during the festive season are candles left unprotected, fairy lights left on all night or improperly wired, Christmas trees falling over, open fires without fireguards and decorations catching fire.”
He continued, “Last year, Clare County Fire and Rescue Service were mobilised to 110 incidents including 65 fires during the Christmas period. Ennis Fire Brigade alone attended 52 incidents in this period.”
Mr Kelly explained that there are a number of practical safety steps households can take. They include installing a smoke alarm and check ing it weekly, keeping candles away from curtins, never leaving candles unattended and visiting elderly neighbours.
He added, “And finally, the fire service hopes that Santa rates Ennis as the best town in Ireland for clean chimneys this year.”