Fire service urges people in Derbyshire to be aware of increased risk of house blazes during Ramadan

With the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan having begun on Thursday, April 23, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) wants to wish Safe and Blessed Month of Ramadan to all those observing this holy period.

During Ramadan, Muslims fast during daylight hours and only eat and drink from dusk until dawn. Because of this, cooking and meal preparation usually takes place before sunrise and after sunset, meaning that food will be prepared late at night and very early in the morning.

DFRS would like to remind people of the effects of fatigue and how they can become more prominent throughout this festive period and accidents can undoubtedly occur.

Head of Prevention and Inclusion Lee Smith said, “Ramadan is a time of great importance but it is also a time in which everyone should be extra vigilant when cooking, especially if they’re feeling tired or fatigued.

“It is also essential that extra procedures are in place to give families the best possible chance of escape, if the unthinkable was to happen. Planning a safe escape route and having working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home gives you the best possible chance of escaping a fire, allowing you to Get Out, Stay Out and Call 999.”

As is the case with all major festivals and times of celebration, DFRS would like to share some relevant safety messages to help everyone have a safe and blessed month of Ramadan.

Make an escape plan and practice it. This will help ensure everyone knows the procedure in case of a fire. Keep all escape routes clear, this will minimise the chance of tripping or falling whilst exiting your home in an emergency.

Keep door and window keys in a known and accessible place so these can be found quickly in the event of a fire. Have a bedtime routine of switching everything off and closing all the doors.

Take care if you’re wearing loose clothing – they can easily catch fire. If this happens, remember to Stop, Drop and Roll. Double check your cooker is off when you have finished cooking.

Keep the oven, hob and grill clean and in good working order. A build-up of fat and grease can ignite a fire. Make sure saucepan handles don’t stick out, as these could easily be knocked off the stove.

Have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home. This means smoke will reach your alarm quicker, giving you and your family those

vital extra seconds to get out.

For more information on home fire safety or to use our online form to carry out your own review of fire safety in your home, visit www.derbys-fire.gov.uk/safety/at-home.