Home Fire Risk Assessment

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service

Help us help SHERMAN

S = Smoker
H = Hoarder
E = Elderly or lives alone
R = Reduced mobility, hearing or visual impairments
M = Mental health issues
A = Alcohol misuse, drugs/medication dependence
N = Needs care or support

People who show these characteristics could, potentially, be more at risk of a fire; so it’s very important to get them the help they need.
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Ser vice can provide free home fire safety advice and offer an in person home visit to those most at risk.

So if you know a SHERMAN gain their permission and request a visit from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service.

A Home Fire Risk Assessment is where members of the Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service will visit you, at a pre-arranged time convenient to yourself, and carry out an inspection of your home.

The visit may be carried out by firefighters who are operational, so don’t be surprised if a fire engine arrives at your home, or a dedicated team from the local Fire and Rescue Service. You do however need to be aware that a fire appliance can be called away at a moment’s notice as it is still part of operational resources within your area. They will of course call back, or arrange another date if needed.

The Home Fire Risk Asessment visits are completely free and you may be eligible for free smoke alarms to be fitted. You will not be sold anything.

The visits focus on three key areas:

  • Identify and be aware of the potential fire risks within your home
  • Know what to do in order to reduce or prevent these risks
  • Put together an escape plan in case a fire does break out and ensure you have working smoke alarms.

The inspection of your home is not as intrusive as it sounds and there will be an opportunity to sit down and talk about fire safety issues in your home covering areas such as electrical safety, smoking safety and the use of electric blankets. With your permission, the inspector will then look at the various rooms in your home, paying particular attention to areas such as overloaded plug sockets or wires trapped under carpets ensuring that doors shut correctly and advising you of any remedial work that they feel may be appropriate to make you safer in your home. They will also run through an escape plan if you do not already have one and  you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you have in respect of your home safety.

The Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service will regularly advertise Home Fire Risk Assessments through the media, but you can book one direct by contacting your local Fire and Rescue Service. You may also make enquiries on behalf of another person but unless you are responsible for that person, you will need to obtain their permission first.

All Fire and Rescue personnel who visit your home will carry photo identification. Please ensure you ask to see it. If you are concerned, you can telephone your local Fire and Rescue Service to check they are genuine. You will not be asked for any money, so be aware of callers offering to carry out the above for a small charge, they will be bogus.

A Fire Safety leaflet is available in various languages. 

Contact

Telephone
In an emergency ALWAYS dial 999 In an emergency ALWAYS dial 999 0300 123 1669 0300 123 1669
E-mail
hq@fire.norfolk.gov.uk
Website
www.norfolk.gov.uk/safety/norfolk-fire-and-rescue-service
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Availability

Referral not required

Downloads

Last Updated: 12 February 2024

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