An independent report published today has said that more lives have been saved and fires prevented thanks to firefighters carrying out Home Fire Safety Checks.

During the Home Fire Safety Check campaign the firefighters would visit a persons home to discuss fire safety and to raise their awareness of any potential risks. For example, asking them about cooking habits, candle use, how they would escape in the event of a fire, if they know where their window locks are etc.

The firefighters check that electrical sockets are not overloaded, they also check to see if the home has a working smoke alarm and fit one free of charge if required.

The report features examples of innovative work by Cheshire, Cleveland, Greater Manchester, Kent, Merseyside, Nottingham and South Yorkshire FRS. The work often involves joining up with other agencies such as Age Concern, the local health service, supermarkets and youth services.

The fire prevention has been successful in not only reducing loss of life and injuries but also shows an economic benefit - reducing loss of buildings, contents and disruption to normal life - estimated at between £926 million and £1,943 million.

Primary school pupils received important lessons in fire safety recently in a format specifically designed to be fun yet serious.

A team of firefighters from the Manningtree Fire and Rescue Service taught the 7 to 9 years olds the importance of fire alarms and were given advice on what to do if a fire was to start in their home.

They were also told of the importance of having a fire safety plan so if they were involved in a fire they would know what to do.

A spokesman for the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said “working with children is an important part of the preventative work we do. It is vital that children learn about fire safety as young as possible, they can also take important lessons home to their parents.”

A new fire safety check has been initiated in North Somerset after a multiple sclerosis sufferer died when his bed caught fire.

With the help of the Social Services, Avon Fire and Rescue Service are planning to identify disabled people who live at home and may be at significant risk in the event of a fire. It is also planned that social housing residents will receive fire safety checks as part of the social housing premises inspection program.

Disabled people identified as a risk will have their details added to the fire service records so that if a fire is reported at their home, fire fighting crews will automatically be alerted to a bedridden patient at that address. While the fire service is on their way to a vulnerable persons property, they will also be given information as to the best way to access the property and the presence of oxygen cylinders.

Fire authority member and North Somerset Councillor Tim Marter said “Both of these activities are unique to our district. This is pioneering action and I think the community fire safety activities are fundamental in the potential saving of lives”

According to new figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), the cost of fire damage in the UK rose by 16% last year to a record £1.3 billion.

Commercial fire damage cost £865m up 15% on the previous year, school fires alone cost £33m and fire damage to homes cost £408m, up 17% from the previous year.

There has been a particular increase in what are termed large loss fires (those over £500,000) and the ABI intend to research the causes of this increase although fraudulent arson and arson will generally be factors to consider.

Nick Starling, the ABI’s director of general insurance and wealth said “These are alarming figures, they highlight both the importance of fire insurance and reducing and managing the fire risk”.