Don't fly back to disaster

14 July 2008

While you’re packing your factor 20 don’t forget that you’re not the only thing that can get burnt while you’re on holiday this summer.

Over the next few weeks thousands of Londoners will leave the city on their summer break and the London Fire Brigade is urging people to protect their empty properties from the dangers of fire.

Assistant Commissioner for community safety Steve Turek said: "Nobody wants to go on holiday and find out their home has been wrecked by fire. Taking a few minutes to carry out some simple checks could prevent this from happening."

Before you go on holiday:

• Switch off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment including appliances such as TVs and radios which have a ‘standby’ mode.
• Turn the water off at the mains. Water from a leaking pipe or overflowing cistern could short out electrical wiring and cause a fire.
• Close down the gas supply at the mains unless you have gas-powered appliances which need to be left on.
• Let a neighbour know you are going away and leave a key with them.
• Close all doors and windows, especially the internal doors, so if fire breaks out its spread will be slowed down.
• Check your smoke alarms and change the batteries if necessary

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. For further information on fire safety in your home go to www.london-fire.gov.uk.

Note to editors:
none

Members of the media can obtain further information from the press office on:

telephone number: 020 8536 5922
email: press@london-fire.gov.uk