Fire crews provide safety advice to shoppers at the supermarket

Supermarket shoppers to get safety advice from firefighters

The firefighters in Canterbury, and Folkestone Whitstable will visit supermarkets to spread safety awareness among the shoppers.

Firefighters in Canterbury, and Folkestone Whitstable have teamed up with their local Sainsbury’s stores so that shoppers can do their grocery shopping and pick up vital community safety advice, when crews visit the stores.

The local crews, plus community safety officers will be on hand to advise customers on how to stay safe in their home and on the road.

This partnership forms part of the supermarket chain’s Fire Safety Week initiative, which started on the November 1. It is one of a number of events Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) is involved in this winter, aimed at providing safety information and encouraging residents to inform firefighters about any road or fire safety concerns they have.

Key topics of information at the supermarket will be smoke alarm ownership and maintenance, planning escape routes, cooking safely, the dangers of smoking in the home and taking care while driving.

Partnership Manager Stuart Tickle said: "We are really pleased to have teamed up with Sainsbury's and hope our presence this week will help people think about what they can do to reduce their risk from fires and road accidents."

"Events like this are a great way of getting important safety messages directly out to the public and we look forward to meeting the customers this week."

Fire crews were on hand at the store in Reeves Way, Chestfield, on the 1st and 5th November between 10.30am and 3.30pm; at the Folkestone store in Park Farm Industrial Estate on the 1st, 3rd and 4th November between 10.30am and 3.30pm and Kingsmead Road, Canterbury on the 1 and 5 November between 10.30am and 3.30pm.

Follow our safety tips to protect your home and family from fire:

• Fit a smoke alarm on each level of your home - when a fire starts, there is little time to escape so an early warning is vital.
• Test alarms weekly - a smoke alarm can buy you valuable time in the event of a fire, but only if it’s working.
• Plan your escape route – make sure you and your family know the quickest way out of your home. Consider an alternative route in case your usual one is blocked.
• Stay safe in the kitchen - this is the area where most house fires start. It only takes a minute to check electrical appliances are switched off and remember, never leave cooking unattended.
• Ask the experts - Firefighters will advise you on how you can keep you, your family and your home safe from fire. Contact your local fire station or call the Community Safety Team for free on 0800 923 7000 for advice.