It’s that time of year when people get out their dusters and London Fire Brigade has some timely advice to all would be ‘spring cleaners’.
People are urged to check under the stairs, in garden sheds and garages for any unwanted gas cylinders.
Assistant Commissioner for Community Safety Steve Turek said; “Fires involving gas cylinders can cause a massive amount of disruption not to mention how dangerous they can be when exposed to heat. If everyone ensures gas cylinders are used, stored and disposed of safely and in an appropriate manner, the majority of these incidents would be avoided. People should not discard their unwanted cylinders but dispose of them safely by returning them to their suppliers or for further information contacting the British Compressed Gas Association (BCGA).”
While dusting your home from top to bottom the Brigade is also reminding people not to forget to use a vacuum cleaner to make sure smoke alarms are clean and working properly.
Steve Turek added; “Firstly it’s important that you have a smoke alarm to dust in the first place. Every home should have one, they only cost £5 and they could save your life. Cleaning your alarm is important but checking that the battery is working is essential. Alarms prove time and again that they save lives, but a smoke alarm with the batteries removed or run down is not going to protect you.”
Safe spring tips:
•Store cylinders in a well ventilated area away from heat sources, flammable or corrosive materials or oils.
•Ensure cylinders are secured upright.
•Read the safety data sheet and understand the properties of the gas prior to use.
•Always use the correct personal protective equipment.
•Buy a smoke alarm that complies with the British Standard or equivalent international standard.
•Follow the manufacturers' instructions to fit it.
•Fit the alarm between the living areas and the bedrooms. Ideally, you should fit one in every room except the kitchen and bathroom.
•Make sure you can hear it throughout your home, especially in the bedrooms.
•Test your smoke alarm each week by using the test button.
•Change the battery every year or when you need to.
•At the same time, use your vacuum cleaner to get rid of any dust inside it.
•Replace the battery in your smoke alarm if the low battery warning sounds (an intermittent bleep) - replace the battery with a new one as soon as you can.
The Brigade is offering all London residents a free home fire safety visit. Firefighters visit homes, talk to you about fire risks and fit free smoke alarms if they are needed. Call 08000 28 44 28 to arrange a home fire safety visit.
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Members of the media can obtain further information from the press office on:
telephone number: 020 8536 5922
email: press@london-fire.gov.uk
