This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Launch of 'No Chance' fire safety campaign
05/12/2005
A new national fire safety campaign has been launched today.
The hard-hitting, 'No Chance' campaign, featuring television, text messaging, billboard posters and bus ticket adverts, aims to tackle householders' complacency about the dangers of fire in the home.
The new television advert begins in an apparently safe family home, but ends with the outbreak of a fire in a child's bedroom caused by overloaded electrical sockets.
Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry warned that every hour of every day somebody in Scotland has their home damaged or destroyed by fire.
Speaking during a visit to Ratho, near Edinburgh, where he installed the 10,000th smoke detector issued by Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service under their Home Fire Safety scheme, Mr Henry said:
"Too many lives are lost each year because of fires in the home, many of which could have been avoided. Last year alone, 74 people lost their lives in domestic fires. That is why we are determined to make sure that every home in Scotland has access to common sense advice on how to keep their homes safe.
"It's a sad fact that the majority of fires are preventable. We need to ensure people are aware of the risks and know that something as simple as an overloaded socket or an unattended washing machine can cost lives.
"The message is clear - your home is not as safe as you think and none of us can afford to be complacent when it comes to fire safety because complacency kills.
"By taking simple, common sense precautions we can work together to reduce the risk. Unplugging electrical appliances before leaving the house, ensuring that pans are never left unattended while cooking, and ensuring your home is fitted with working smoke alarms can make all the difference in terms of protecting loved ones and your property.
"Local fire and rescue services will provide smoke alarms for free and will fit them for anyone requiring them. They can also carry out free home safety checks. Further help and advice is also available from the Don't Give Fire a Home website.
"As Christmas approaches and our thoughts turn to family and friends, I hope every householder will take the necessary steps to protect them and ensure fire has no chance to burn."
The 'No Chance' campaign is part of the Scottish Executive's 'Don't Give Fire a Home' campaign.
Funding of £337, 431 (inc VAT) has been made available for the 'No Chance' campaign, which will run until the end of February. In addition to the television advert, it will include bus adverts and text messaging in areas of higher risk across Scotland. It will be run in conjunction with local fire and rescue services who will offer to do home safety visits on the back of this.
Earlier this year, the Executive provided an additional £135,000 to enable fire and rescue services to purchase and install smoke detectors in homes on request.