Safety campaign targets students

Jan 21 2009 by Andrew Hirst, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

FIREFIGHTERS are putting out a hard-hitting safety warning, with students as the main targets.

The number of house fires tends to rise in the winter and the Safer Life campaign promotes the message that carelessness kills.

It focuses on the main causes of blazes which are booze, smoking indoors and overloaded electrics.

In Kirklees there were 83 house fires for the three months from December, 2007, to last February but 52 from June to August.

For the first time ever West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is also targeting students in its winter campaign.

Leeds University student Sorrel Sheppard has been heavily involved in publicising fire safety across West Yorkshire. She even appears in posters with fake burns, alongside the slogan: “I got first degree burns.”

Further shocking images of people with burns accompany slogans: “I’m mourning after the night before”, “I nearly died for straight hair” and: “It’s true, smoking indoors does kill.”

The countywide campaign – which includes posters, drinks mats and posters on buses – will target pubs, clubs, shops and other public areas.

A special website has also been set up – www.saferlife.co.uk – where people can see important safety information and book a free home fire safety check.

Brian Robson, the service’s senior community safety officer, said: “The statistics show that there is a definite increase in fires in the home during the colder, winter months.

“This is mainly because people spend more time indoors trying to stay warm.

“This year is the first time our winter campaign also targets students and we are delighted to have Sorrel on board.

“She is working hard to spread fire safety messages among her fellow students on campus.

“The images we are using in the campaign materials are very graphic because we want to catch the attention of as many people as possible.

“I would urge anyone out there who does not have a smoke alarm to book a home fire safety check with us as soon as possible. They really do save lives.”

Sorrel said: “As a student I’m more than aware of the higher risk of fire in student homes.

“There is a large social aspect of student life and many of us choose to make a meal after coming in from a night drinking; an accident waiting to happen.”

Anyone can book a free home fire safety check, which includes fitting free smoke alarms, by calling 0800 587 45 36 or by visiting www.saferlife.co.uk