Fire safety
Since May 2021, nine people sadly died in accidental house fires across Derbyshire. The majority of these fatal fires took place in the home of someone over the age of 60 and living alone. By working together, we can reduce fire deaths and injuries of vulnerable people.
15 minutes to save a life fire safety campaign
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service’s fire safety campaign is called ‘15 Minutes to Save a Life’. Fifteen minutes is all it could take to protect someone you care about from the risk of a fatal accidental house fire. To support the campaign, you can download posters and leaflets.
Fire safety when using emollients
Emollient creams are moisturisers that can be used to prevent or treat dry skin conditions like eczema, pressure ulcers (bed sores), ulcers and psoriasis.
Emollients come in a variety of forms, like creams, lotions or gels. All cover the skin with a protective film to reduce water loss. They are highly flammable and pose a fire risk, especially for people who spend long periods in bed or an armchair due to illness or limited mobility. It's important to be aware of the fire safety risks if you or a person you care for needs moisturising creams.
To raise awareness of this issue, the Derbyshire Safeguarding Adults Board has created a poster about emollients, which is attached to this page. We encourage you to read it and share it with others.
Advice for carers
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) visit thousands of homes each year, offering tailored fire safety advice to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Many of the people they support rely on carers, friends, and family for assistance in their daily lives.
A free safe and well visit will provide actions and advice to help make homes safer and protect people from the risks of fire, as well as identifying a fire escape plan to follow, should the unthinkable happen. The visit will also include a falls assessment and identify any health and care needs that need signposting to local services to help ensure people’s safety and wellbeing.
An easy-to-follow DIY home fire safety check has been developed through a partnership between the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Fire Kills and Safelincs. The tool offers tips and advice on the steps to take to reduce fire risks, and it will provide a personalised fire safety action plan.
Information for professionals
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) is committed to working with professionals who support vulnerable adults and children. They welcome referrals for safe and well checks from any professional who has concerns about an occupier or property where fire risk is a concern.
The safe and well visit referrals: information for partner agencies video gives an overview of what Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service can offer to support our communities and the most vulnerable to help keep them safe from fire in their homes.
The National Network of Chairs of Safeguarding Adults Boards (NNCSAB) has brought together fire prevention resources.
British Sign Language information about fire safety in the home
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service offers a British Sign Language (BSL) video designed to help keep people safe at home, along with several BSL videos that explain how and when to use the 999 BSL service. The main video shares practical tips to reduce fire risks and includes important advice like general fire safety and specialist guidance on smoke alarms for people who are hard of hearing – there’s also a BSL pictorial home fire safety guide.