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Cosc Dóiteáin agus Sábháilteacht ó Dhóiteán

Community Fire Safety

Community Fire Safety

The following link https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/4efe2-fire-safety-leaflets/ provides advice on the following topics:

  • Fire Safety in the Home
  • Fire Safety for the Traveller Community
  • Fire Safety for Chimneys and Stoves
  • Fire Safety for Farms and Rural Areas
  • Fire Safety in Flats / Apartments
  • Fire Safety in Caravans
  • Fire Safety for the Elderly
  • Smoke / Heat Alarms
  • Fire Safety at Home (Booklet) 

People are encouraged to assess the fire safety measures in their own homes and implement some common-sense safeguards where possible. As part of this assessment it may be wise to ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do I have sufficient smoke alarms installed that are actually working? Your smoke alarms should be tested regularly. Use the handle of a brush if access is difficult.
  • Have I discussed an escape plan with my family? The purpose of a smoke alarm is to give an early warning of fire. It is vital that your family know exactly what to do if the smoke alarm activates. In the event of fire:  Get Out - Get the Fire Brigade Out - Stay Out.
  • Do I know my Eircode if I need to call 999 or 112 for the Fire Service? Memorise your Eircode and consider keeping in it a safe place (e.g. on the fridge, bedside locker or phone).
  • Has my chimney / stove flue been cleaned recently?
  • Do I implement simple safe guards such as: use of spark guards, a night time routine of closing doors (to reduce spread of fire & smoke), control of candles and preventing overloaded sockets?

See Donegal County Council Fire Service Home Safety Check Sheet here

Fire Safety Management

The following link from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provides guidance for persons having control under Section 18(2) Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c0b05-fire-safety-guide-for-building-owners-and-operators/

Section 18(2) of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 places a duty on persons having control over all types of premises other than a dwelling house occupied as a single dwelling. This Guide will assist every person having control in a practical understanding and effective implementation of these requirements in discharging their statutory responsibility for fire safety in a premises.

The persons having control over premises could include, as appropriate the owner, the occupier, leasee or somebody hiring the premises. This Guide will assist in the identification of the person having control as the person with direct responsibility for fire safety. This Guide further outlines general principles of safety and the range of duties which should be applied having regard to the individual circumstances of each premises, rather than a set of rules.

Fire Safety Assessment

Section 18(6) of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003 provides power for a person (a fire officer) authorised by a fire authority to require a person having control over premises (building owner or occupier) to:

  • carry out a fire safety assessment of the premises and
  •  notify the fire authority of such assessment.

Typically, building owners engage professionals to carry out the fire safety assessment. The following link provides guidance on fire safety assessments https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/354c8-code-of-practice-for-fire-safety-assessment-of-premises-and-buildings/

The Code of Practice is of assistance to fire services, in providing standard guidance for building owners and their professional advisors, where the fire service requires a fire safety assessment.

Events are a workplace for some and a leisure activity for others and range from family days in the local park to musical events, festivals, fireworks displays, carnivals, sporting events, street parades, exhibitions etc. Negligence on the part of the owner and/or the event organiser of the event can result in injury to either workers or patrons.

Organisers have under common law a duty of care towards persons involved with the event – including the audience, performers, suppliers and event staff.

The following links provide guidance and outlines recommended measures to provide for a safe event;

Each year, Accident and Emergency Departments are inundated with adults & children who receive horrific and painful injuries as a result of illegal bonfires at Halloween. Halloween can be one of the busiest times of year for us and we are urging everyone in our community to act responsibly. We want you, along with your friends and family, to have a safe Halloween.

Bonfires
Bonfires are illegal and Donegal County Fire Service warn that bonfires can contain nasty materials – such as car tyres, gas cylinders, aerosol cans, oils, plastics and household rubbish. As well as presenting a risk of gas cylinders/aerosol cans exploding, smoke from such fires can be extremely toxic to breath in. If you see any such material on a bonfire it’s best to avoid it. 

Bonfires are destructive in nature and present a risk of collapse. Always stand well clear of a bonfire. If you can feel the heat from a fire then you are too close. Clothes and costumes are at risk of catching fire. 

Never try to run through or jump over a bonfire and don’t consume alcohol or other intoxicants around a bonfire. 

Fireworks
Fireworks are dangerous and illegal when not operated by licensed professionals, and because they are illegal they may not conform to any recognised product standard which means they could fail to ignite, ignition may be delayed or they may ignite prematurely. Fireworks are essentially small explosives which can cause serious injuries, particularly to your hands and face. Fireworks can also set fire to buildings and clothing so Donegal County Fire Service recommend avoiding the use of fireworks during the Halloween period and only attend events where fireworks are licensed for use. 

Sparklers can also cause serious injury, especially without proper supervision, as they burn at very high temperatures. Sparklers should only be lit one at a time and held at arms length with the use of gloves. When burnt out, plunge hot end down into a bucket of water.

Halloween Costumes & Decorations
Halloween isn’t Halloween without a costume however some costumes are classified as toys and may not meet the same fire safety standards as clothes. Make sure your costume has a genuine CE safety mark on its label and comes from a reputable dealer. Costumes from some of the cheaper online suppliers may not meet the expected standards. Where you are making a DIY costume, don’t use flammable materials such as plastic bags. 

Keep costumes away from naked flames such as open fires, candles, bonfires and sparklers. It’s important to make sure children are properly supervised at all times and try to choose a costume and mask that doesn’t restrict your child’s vision. 

If a costume catches fire remember STOP, DROP and ROLL to put the flames out. 

If you decide to use candles this Halloween for pumpkins or decorations, we recommend using battery operated LED candles rather than real candles. 

Halloween decorations should be placed away from heat sources or naked flames.

Never overload sockets to accommodate extra Halloween decorations. One socket = one plug. 

Christmas Trees

  • Place real Christmas trees securely in a sturdy base filled with water – metal stands cause trees to dry out and become flammable.
  • Check water level daily.
  • Ensure artificial trees have been pre-treated to increase flame resistance.
  • Keep tree away from candles, heaters, fireplaces or other heat sources.
  • Dispose of tree properly – never burn a real tree in the fireplace. View a video that demonstrates how quickly a fire can develop when a Christmas tree catches fire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLHhG65fLeY    

Christmas Lights

  • Only use Christmas lights with a genuine CE mark.
  • Use low energy, low heat LED lights whenever you can.
  • Make sure a competent person checks all connections and examines the wiring for fraying before use.
  • If in doubt, throw them out.
  • Don’t overload sockets.
  • Unplug all Christmas lights and electrical appliances before leaving your home or going to bed.

Outdoor Christmas Lights

 

  • Ensure lights are suitable for outdoor use.
  • Check all wiring and follow manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Fasten the bulbs securely and point the sockets down to avoid moisture building up.
  • Never use indoor specific extension leads outside.
  • Keep outdoor electrical connections above ground and out of puddles and snow.
  • Ensure trees hung with Christmas lights are not touching power lines. 

Candles

An Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs (ODCA) survey found that consumers are exposed to serious risk due to the lack of advice when using candles and candleholders. Of the 482 items inspected 117 or 24.3% failed a visual risk assessment either due to lack of warnings, warnings not provided in English or because the items clearly presented a safety hazard.

 
Remember when it comes to candles:

  • Keep them out of reach of children and pets.
  • Trim the wick to 6mm (1/4 inch) each time before burning.
  • Always use an appropriate candleholder placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
  • Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents and air currents.
  • Extinguish a candle if it smokes or flickers repeatedly or if the flame becomes too high.
  • Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times.
  • Do not burn a candle for longer than the manufacturer recommends.
  • Extinguish the flame if it comes too close to the holder or container.
  • Place lighted candles at least 75mm apart from one another.
  • Never place a candle on top of a TV set and keep well away from curtains.
  • Always extinguish candles before leaving the house or going to bed.
  • Never use candles on Christmas trees, even artificial ones.
    Remember hot wax burns! 

Other Christmas Fire Safety Tips

  • Never burn wrapping paper in your fireplace.
  • Keep strings of Christmas cards away from candles and open fires.
  • Fit a spark guard in front of open fires.
  • Extinguish cigarettes properly and do not let ashtrays get overfilled.
  • Check that your smoke alarms are in perfect working order.
  • Never remove batteries from smoke alarm to use in children’s toys.
  • Clean out the oven and stove prior to Christmas.   
     

The following link https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/01773-fire-management/ provides advice on the following topics: 

Uncontrolled fires pose a danger to wildlife, property, infrastructure, the environment and potentially, human life. They can be a significant and prolonged draw on fire service resources and may compromise the fire brigades ability to respond to other serious incidents. 

The burning of waste is an illegal practice and is an offence under the Waste Management Act 1996, the Air Pollution Act 1987 and the Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) Regulations 2009.

The exemption which permitted the burning of agricultural waste ceased at the end of November 2023. Farmers/Landowners are now no longer permitted to burn agricultural waste.

It is an offence under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (amended by Section 46 of the Wildlife Act, 2000) to burn any vegetation growing on any land not then cultivated from 1st March to 31st August in any year.

Anyone carrying out controlled burning of living vegetation (outside of the period from 1st March to 31st August in any year) must ring 999/112 immediately beforehand so as to ensure that the Fire Service is not needlessly mobilised to the fire as a result of calls from concerned members of the public. A follow up call must be made upon completion of the controlled burn.

Note: attendance by the fire service at such incidents attracts a service charge.

The following non exhaustive list of fire safety precautions should be considered if controlled burning is deemed necessary:

  • Burning should be commenced as early as possible in the day.
  • A suitable fire break should be made around the area to be burned.
  • Check the weather forecast and do not burn in exceptionally dry or windy conditions.
  • If possible, have a sufficient mobile water supply available.
  • If fires get out of control and pose a risk to buildings or woodlands, call the Fire Brigade immediately by dialling 999 or 112.
  • Before leaving the area, make sure that the fire is completely out.

Further information is available from The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine’s website at the following link: Fire Management.

The National policy for the provision of Fire Services in Ireland is driven and supported by the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management, which also oversees and develops standards and the delivery of quality services by the fire authorities. In February 2013, the National Directorate published the “Keeping Communities Safe” policy document which is the blueprint for the future direction of the fire service, aimed at delivering consistent, effective and value for money fire services in Ireland while continuing to reduce the risk from fires in our communities and prioritising the safety of fire personnel in their work.

Keeping Communities Safe https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/72e1d-keeping-communities-safe/ sets out:

  • a system of national processes and standards.
  • a framework for moving to a “shared services” structure.
  • an increased emphasis on fire prevention and safety.
  • the means by which the goal of delivering quality services can be achieved.
  • challenging targets in terms of reducing the incidents of fire and loss of life.

The following initiatives are undertaken by Donegal County Fire Service.

National Fire Safety Week 

Commences on the 1st Monday of October each year, the https://www.fireireland.ie/ provides a link to the theme of fire safety week each year.

Fire Safety Schools Programme (Primary Schools)

The fire safety at home programme is delivered by Donegal County Fire Service in primary schools across the County to 3rd Class students in accordance with National Policy

Donegal Offshore Islands Fire Safety Programme

Donegal County Fire Service have been providing homes on the islands off the Donegal coast with smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire blankets and fire extinguishers. Training on the use of extinguishers and fire blankets are arranged with Island communities through the programme which will run after provision of extinguishers to homes. 

Home Safety Check Sheet here

Uaireanta Oscailte

Mótarcháin 9.15am to 12.15pm, and 1.15pm to 3pm (Tuesdays and Thursdays)

Mótarcháin 9.15am to 12.15pm, and 1.15pm to 3pm (Tuesdays and Thursdays)