Residents feel safer in their homes following fire service checks

According to the service, which has completed 15,000 such checks so far this year, 96 per cent of people are left satisfied following one of the visits.

The research has also shown that, whilst 55 percent of people rated their home safe before a home safety check, 97 per cent rated it safe after the check – a 42 per cent increase.

A third of people then said that they would take action, following the visit, to make their home safer – should any issues have been identified.

“We’re really pleased with the results of this research as it reaffirms what we already suspected – that our staff are delivering an outstanding service,” said area manager Simon Dunker, head of the joint police and fire community safety department.

“Beyond the satisfaction scores, though, the pleasing thing is that people are feeling safer in their homes after we’ve visited, and are taking action to reduce their risks.

“Reviewing our work, and making sure we’re doing a good job, is really important to us. It is part of striving to be the best we can be and is something we will continue to do.

“I’d encourage anyone who feels they are at particular risk of fire to get in touch with us and arrange a visit as soon as possible. The same goes for family members who you think would benefit.”

Researchers also identified that householders don’t just keep the knowledge to themselves, but share it between friends and family too, with 50 per cent of people saying they had passed on some of the advice following their visit.

The study, which was conducted by the University of Sheffield in conjunction with the fire and rescue service, involved telephone interviews with 234 people being asked questions about their own home safety check experience.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue offers home safety checks free for people who meet its set criteria – this can include living alone, being over a certain age or having a hearing impairment.

They involve firefighters or community safety staff giving advice on how to make a home safer and what to do in the event of a fire. They may also involve smoke alarms being fitted, if needed.

Visits can be booked at www.syfire.gov.uk