Following the announcement made in September 2009 about our Fire Safety Fund successful applicants, we are pleased to present the following list of partners we have sponsored, together with a short description of each project and their locations. A wide range of activities have taken place with the majority of them due to finish by the end of March 2010. The ESC’s Fire Safety Fund 2010-2011 will open later this year. More information about how to apply will be available by May 2010 with applications expected to open by June 2010 and funded activities expected to run during September 2010 to March 2011.
Funded Safety Organisation Region Summary of Activity About the Activity
Wales
Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Services Powys Electric Blanket Safety To deliver electric blanket safety days in a number of towns: Powys, Brecon, Llandrindod Wells, Newtown and Welshpool.
Vale of Glamorgan Trading Standards Barry Product Testing Activity co-ordinated to test small, portable household items for older people to ensure unsafe products are not used.
South Wales Fire & Rescue Services Llantrisant Celebrate Safety Campaign The ‘Celebrate Safety’ Campaign aims to reach households and high risk groups within South Wales to encourage the public to celebrate safety.
Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Services Neath Port Talbot Home Fire Safety Checks Activity planned to carry out risk assessments in people’s homes, where bespoke fire safety advice and equipment will be offered to the householder.
[b]Scotland[/b]
Scottish Burned Children’s Club Livingston Dangers of Hair Straighteners A poster and leaflet campaign is planned to raise awareness of the dangers of leaving hair straighteners left unattended and switched on and to make people aware of the dangers of the extreme temperatures of these devices.
Dumfries & Galloway Fire & Rescue Services Dumfries & Galloway Refurbishment of Community Safety Vehicle The funding will be used to refurbish a vehicle used to provide fire safety advice to the local communities and to run events, such as electric blanket safety days.
Angus Care & Repair Forfar Safety Awareness Days It is planned that the funding will be used to deliver an Angus Awareness Day on fires in the home to show examples of poor wiring and to promote and demonstrate good practice.
North Ayrshire Trading Standards Irvine Safety Awareness Days A variety of regular fire safety events are planned to provide advice to help people prevent electrical fires by asking people questions about their own homes and safety and to offer fire safety advice.
City of Edinburgh Council Edinburgh Electric Blanket Safety To deliver an electric blanket safety events in Edinburgh.
North Lanarkshire Council Home Safety Unit Motherwell Adaptor Amnesty To run a campaign during which information on electrical safety will be issued, along with an exchange of block style adaptors for the much safer 4-bar ones. The activity will target older residents in sheltered housing and at community events.
[b]England[/b]
Gloucestershire Trading Standards Gloucestershire Safety Awareness Days Two market surveillance projects are planned to focus on the safety of mains chargers available for sale by retail and/or the internet.
Isles of Scilly Fire & Rescue Services Isle of Scilly Home Safety Visits To deliver activity to test small domestic electrical appliances in people’s own homes, this will be conducted by qualified and trained staff.
Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Services Hereford Safety Awareness Days Countywide community events, which will encourage members of the public to bring electrical appliances along for testing, are planned.
Bedfordshire & Luton Fire & Rescue Services Bedford Safety Awareness Days The Activity will conduct a range of activity including electric blanket testing and Christmas tree lights exchange. The project will provide giveaways, such as, strip plug adaptors in exchange for block plugs would and heat resistant mats for hair styling irons/tongs.
Cornwall County Fire Brigade Truro Home Safety Visits The fund will be used to visit people’s homes to offer fire safety advice, as well as fit free smoke detectors.
Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Services Lincoln Home Fire Safety Checks As part of the Home Fire Safety Check initiative, the activity plans to replace electric bar heaters and electric blankets if these appliances are found to be faulty and provide 4-way bar adaptor plugs where a need is identified.
Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire & Rescue Services Aylesbury Various Initiatives Two handy vans funded by the brigade will conduct visits in areas that sit outside of operational station response times. The Brigade will use the visits to PAT test small domestic electrical appliances..
Hucknall West Safer Neighbour Committee Hucknall Safety Awareness Days The funding was used to attend planned outreach activities to provide a range of electrical safety equipment, personal safety and home security devices, as well as information and advice.
Surrey Trading Standards Service Leatherhead Consumer Safety The project will involve visiting second-hand shops, pawnbrokers and cash converter-type shops located in Surrey. Electrical goods on display will be visually examined and then screen tested on site for potential risk of fire if suspicions arise. Where appropriate, goods will be seized and tested by an accredited laboratory.
Northumberland Fire & Rescue Services Morpeth Home Fire Safety The funding will be used to focus on consumer fire safety activity to conduct home fire safety checks, provide information and guidance on how to reduce fire risk, and provide and fit smoke alarms.
Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Services Morpeth Home Fire Safety Activity will include home fire safety visits to give advice and information, as well as provide European conversion adaptor plugs.
Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Services Warwickshire Junior Fire Safety Citizen Scheme The funding will used to deliver a Junior Fire Safety Citizen Scheme for year 6 (age 10 - 11) pupils. Pupils will carry out a basic home fire safety check in the home of an older person (over 60 years) they know. If any electrical safety issues found, a referral will be made to Fire and Rescue Service for a complete home fire safety check.
Gateshead Council Trading Standards Gateshead Electric Blanket Testing To deliver electric blanket testing events for the residents of Tyne and Wear. As the events will be held within fire stations, this will allow the fire officers to provide fire safety information and offer home safety checks to everyone who submits a blanket.
London Borough of Brent Trading Standards Brent Electric Blanket Testing & Product Market Surveillance To deliver electric blanket testing events. The events will include involving partners from the Fire Brigade and Help the Aged to offer advice on fire safety. The funding will also be used to identify retailers selling second-hand electrical items and to advise them of the checks they need to make to ensure that the items they sell are safe.
Hampshire Fire & Rescue Services Eastleigh Electric Blanket Safety To deliver an electric blanket testing campaign, consisting of 17 days events held on fire stations across Hampshire.
Bristol City Council Bristol Electric Blanket Safety To deliver an electric blanket testing and replacement campaign. This activity will also be combined with the distribution of free RCDs to promote consumer safety.
Warwickshire Trading Standards Service Warwickshire Electric Blanket Safety and Portable Appliance Testing The project plans to run a targeted electric blanket testing campaign, specifically aimed at reaching people in more remote rural areas, as well as older people who are housebound and dependent on carers. A second part of the will be to Pat test small portable appliances.
North Somerset Trading Standards Weston-super-Mare Electric Blanket Safety A number of electric blanket testing events are planned to cover the region. The funding will also be used to replace faulty electric blankets free of charge.
West Midlands Fire Service Birmingham Safety Awareness Days The aim of the project is to educate individuals about the electrical risk within their homes. The activity will offer advice on keeping safe within the home and helping people to maintain a safe and independent life style. PAT testing and safety checks on various household appliances e.g. electric blankets and kettles will be undertaken.

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