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What to do in a fire

• Alert everyone and get them out. Stay together.
• Don't try to save valuables, or pets.
• Don't investigate the fire, or try to tackle it yourself.
• Crawl on the floor if there's smoke.
• Only open the doors you need to and close any open doors you pass.
• Before you open a door, feel it with the back of your hand. If it's warm, don't open it.
• Once you're out and safe, use a mobile phone, a neighbour's phone, or a phone box to call 999.
• Don't go back in.

Basic home fire safety

• Fit smoke alarms on every floor.
• Test the batteries once a week.
• Don't leave children in the kitchen alone when cooking on the hob.
• Avoid putting more than one plug per socket, if possible.
• Plan an escape route and make sure everyone knows how to escape.
• Make a bedtime check of your home before you go to bed.

Home Fire Safety Visits

Cleveland Fire Brigade’s aim is for every household throughout Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland and Hartlepool Districts to have a Home Fire Safety Visit carried out in their home to reduce risks of all kinds, particularly fire. During the visit firefighters will ensure there are working smoke alarms, or will fit free alarms and also help make a plan of escape in case of a fire.

To arrange one at your convenience please contact 01429 874063

Schools Education

Cleveland Fire Brigade has a Community Safety Schools Education Team dedicated to promote fire safety awareness to children aged 4-16. Programmes have been designed to build up sound knowledge in relation to fire safety.

We can deliver presentations in a variety of locations, free of charge. Dependent on the availability of parking space, we can deliver programmes in the Community Education Vehicle, which is equipped with presentation facilities and offers an alternative to the classroom environment. However, if you prefer we can deliver programmes in the classroom or the school hall. Alternative venues can be negotiated. science

Please contact Wendy Dewhirst, Schools Education Manger on 01429 874050 for further details.

Specialist Advisors

The Brigade has a team of Advocates who have been put together to help reduce fire related risks to groups of people who Cleveland Fire Brigade feel may have less access to the Brigade than other groups. The objectives of the Advocates team are to ensure that every resident in Cleveland has the same access to Cleveland Fire Brigade services. The team include:

• Glen Clerk and Shelly Walker Older Persons Advocates;
• Linzi Galbraith, Drug & Alcohol Advocate;
• Naseem Mahmood and Pav Rehman, Black Minority and Ethnic Advocates;
• Laura McQuillan, Deaf Persons Advocate;
• Margaret Yull Disabilities Advocate

They can all be contacted at our Headquarters in Hartlepool: 01429 872311

Ban the Pan

Ban the Pan is an ongoing initiative to get rid of deadly chip pans which account for over 8000 fires, 3000 injuries and 30 deaths every year nationally. Cleveland Fire Brigade will swap old fashioned chip pans for safer thermostatically deep fat fryers. This can be done during a Home Fire Safety Visit. To arrange a visit contact 01429 874063.

Winter Warmth

Launched in November 2008, the Winter Warmth campaign is designed to provide help to those who are suffering from high domestic fuel costs, inadequate heating and the cold weather. This can be through providing items such as portable heaters, torches or bed packs. If you or someone you know may benefit from Cleveland Fire Brigade’s help, please contact Sarah Metcalfe on 01429 874054.