On Thursday 13th October 2022 our community safety team, along with our On-Call firefighters and Thames Valley Police, set out to reassure the public and deliver some key fire safety advice in Chesham. They went door to door speaking with Pond Park residents following recent incidents in this area. They offered Home Fire Safety Visits, dropping info cards into those who weren’t in. This type of activity is known as a ‘hot strike’.
What is a hot strike?
A ‘hot strike’ is targeted prevention activity following a fire or other serious incident. Teams will carry out targeted Home Fire Safety Visits, engaging with the surrounding community in a bid to increase fire safety and tackle anti-social behaviour. The timing of a Hot Strike is determined by the nature of the incident and any ongoing Police, Protection Department or Fire Investigation activity.
From the homes they visited the team fitted 3 fire alarms and an anti-arson letter box.
An anti-arson arson letter box is a metal container or lockable flap that can be fitted onto your letter box to prevent Burning materials such as fireworks being pushed through letterboxes and into the home. These can be purchased from the internet or fitted by one of our team if, during a fire and wellness visit, it is identified as a risk to your home.
Jo Foot, Community Safety Coordinator said
“The Hot Strike we carried out in the Chesham area on Thursday was well received by residents and the public. It was great to work with Thames Valley Police to combine both fire and home safety advice and deliver this straight to residents’ doors. Being out in the community is the best way to reach our most vulnerable and let people know about the services we offer such as our Fire and Wellness visits.”
Don’t fuel the fire
Here are some tips on ways you can reduce the risk of becoming a target of arson and keep your home secure.
- Store all wheelie bins away, preferably somewhere secure, especially at night
- Only place your wheelie bin out on collection day and return it to your property as soon as possible after collection
- Do not overfill your wheelie bins or leave loose rubbish around them
- Avoid placing bins, rubbish, or other combustible items against the walls of the home
- Don’t leave flammable liquids in the open.
- Entry gates should be secured, unless in use, to prevent access by intruders.
- Ensure any damage to fencing is repaired promptly to deter intruders.
- Close windows when not at home.
- Consider security systems such as intruder alarms/security lighting to deter intruders.
Visit our safety hub for more information on keeping you, your family and home #FireSafe
Safety Advice Hub – Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service (bucksfire.gov.uk)
If you, or someone you know is concerned about fire safety, visit www.bucksfire.gov.uk/home-fire-safety-visits for more information on booking a Home Fire Safety Visit. Alternatively, you can email us on referrals@bucksfire.gov.uk or call us on 01296 744 477
For more advice on home security visit https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/thames-valley/advice/home-security-guide2.pdf
