Councils join for Stay Warm Stay Safe campaign

From worn-out hot water bottles to poorly stored electric blankets, keeping warm in our homes can pose several significant hazards which many residents may not be aware of.

To help highlight the dangers of heating and electrical devices, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has joined together with other councils in Northern Ireland to launch the ‘Stay Warm Stay Safe’ campaign, which is being funded by the Office of Product Safety & Standards (OPSS).

Each year dozens of accidents and fires leading to serious injuries are caused by the incorrect use of common household items.

As part of the ‘Stay Warm Stay Safe’ campaign, the local councils have produced and are distributing a leaflet focusing on key areas: electrical blankets/heated throws; hot-water bottles; overloaded electrical sockets; electrical chargers; portable heaters.

The leaflet brings together a list of safety tips and checks to help eliminate risks in the home environment, as well as outlining some of the incorrect uses of products which pose a danger.

Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said:

“At this time of year, staying warm in our homes is a priority for people and with energy costs remaining very high, we know that some residents will be using a number of different heating devices.

I’m sure every home has a few hot-water bottles, but not everyone will know that they need to be changed after two years. How you store an electric blanket can cause damage, and charging devices on your bed is a fire hazard. There is also the risks associated with charging devices.

Some of these safety steps may seem obvious, however, it is worth taking a few minutes to refresh these important safety steps and read the advice from the manufacturers of the products. We urge people to share this information with family members and friends, particularly those who regularly use these heating devices as it could make all the difference in preventing a serious accident.”

You can download a copy of the Stay Safe Stay Warm leaflet in downloads section below.

For further information or to request a home safety visit you can contact the council’s environmental health department by emailing eh@fermanaghomagh.com or calling 0300 303 1777.