Last night the Fire Service came round to do a risk assessment as we now have oxygen at home and thought I would share the tips with you - some of which I hadn't thought of!:-
1) Do not leave washing machine or dryer on while out or at bed time - they are the biggest causes of fires in the kitchen! Suggested that we pull out the washing machine and dryer once a year, take the lid off and give them a hoover out.
2) Do not put candles around the bath on the bath surround or on top of TVs - they burn through.
3) Do not have wheelie bins against the house ( I kept my green bins against our back wall!) - apparently when they go up they really do and when the first blast of water is pumped on it has the effect of igniting the fire.
4) Close all doors in the house before you go to bed
5) Do not leave keys in the door at night - he recommended leaving them at the side of your bed and then if you are trapped you can throw the keys out to the firemen and they can easily enter the property!
Great service they installed four smoke detectors AND my youngest daughter got to sit in a fire engine AND tested out the breathing gear!
Have a great day everyone. TAD xx
The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.
I had them out a few months ago. Did a very thorough check and offered advice. I said I was told they would do this, when I had my oxygen first supplied and wondered why it had taken so long for them to come out? They said they were a "bit behind". I had waited 6 years!
We had them to check some time ago. I note your comments about the front door keys. Will do!
Thank you very much for the advice which is valid for everyone. I had not thought about keys on bedside - how sensible is that! Alison
Hi Tad,that was interesting,we can all learn something new,txs for that! xxx
Was always told to leave your key in the door,providing it can't be reached through the letterbox,but turned in a way as it can't be pushed through.that way your lock can't be picked,and if you need to get out you know exactly where the key is in the dark and possibly in a bit of a panick.because surely you would wake others first In other rooms and would not want to go back into a smoke filled room fumbling for keys .
in reply to
Yes I thought the same Jambo but the advise has changed! xx
in reply to
We had our check by Fire Brigade Officers two weeks ago and they told us we were correct in leaving our back door key in the door as means of a quick escape. Different areas giving different opinions here? We live in a bungalow.
Thank you TADAW. Had a fire home check a few years ago - never mentioned bins so thanks for that. I always used to put my keys on the landing window so everyone knew where they were, but now there is just me really good idea to keep them in the bedroom.
Had my second check since going on oxygen about a month ag. Had all the same tips but didn't mention anything about the bins. Perhaps because mine are not near the house.
Really good points. Many thanks. Firemen came to do a check for me as a freebee and fitted two alarms. They were taken aback by our untidiness - papers and notes in piles. Our house has shrunk since eldest son boomeranged back home.
Points about washer and drier, and keys are great. I dread their return if/when I have to go on oxygen.
Social services provided me with a 'key safe' which is fastened to the wall just outside the main front door. I gave the combination lock code to my doctors practice to put on my file so that they can gain entry in an emergency.
However, wouldn't it make more sense if the local police station were to put onto their computer so that it could be accessed by any of the emergency services. I suggested it to them but they showed no interest !
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
, I'd never thought about keys by the bed. What a brilliant idea.
Sunday’s poem ~ The Toys
COVID - an unusual route for infection
Moving in Day Next Thursday 
Rota power cuts circa 1979
