Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service

Firefighters have issued a stark warning to smokers after two South Yorkshire residents cheated death in separate smoking related house fires.

A female resident escaped unharmed after a smoldering cigarette was believed to have started a fire which destroyed a bedroom and loft at a house in Sheffield earlier this week. Firefighters spent several hours putting out the fire at the terraced property on Woodburn Drive, Stannington, which also caused extensive smoke damage to the rest of the house.

And in a separate incident just 24 hours earlier, a 79 year old man was taken to hospital with burns to his right leg after he fell asleep in his chair whilst smoking. Luckily, a knock on the door woke the resident and firefighters put out the fire before it spread to the rest of the property on St Elizabeth Close, Heeley, Sheffield.

South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue has just launched a campaign aimed at reducing the number smoking related incidents it attends, with smoking still the biggest cause of deaths in accidental house fires across the county.

Steve Makepeace, Head of Community Safety at South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, said: “These two incidents, each within a few hours of each other, again highlight the dangers of smoking. A house has been devastated by fire and a man has been taken to hospital. Fortunately, the residents involved in these two incidents escaped with their lives. But on any day the outcomes could have been far more serious.

“The message to smokers could not be clearer. Never smoke in bed, never leave a lit cigarette unattended, always ensure that cigarettes are put out properly and keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.”

Smokers can help to keep the risk of fire low, by following some basic fire safety advice:

• Never smoke in bed- it’s very easy to fall asleep and allow your cigarette to set light to your bedclothes or furnishings
• Don’t smoke if you’re drowsy- especially if you’re sitting in a comfortable chair or if you’ve been drinking or taking prescription drugs. Again, it’s easy to fall asleep
• Don’t leave a lighted cigarette, pipe or cigar unattended – they can easily overbalance and land on the carpet or other flammable material
• Make totally sure that your butts aren’t still smoldering- wet them and empty your ashtray into a metal bin outside the house
• Keep lighters, matches and smoking materials out of the reach of children- you can also buy child-resistant lighters and containers for matches

For more information and fire safety advice visit the South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue website, www.syfire.gov.uk or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/syfr. To arrange a free Home Safety Check call 0114 253 2314 or text FREE to 87023.

For stop smoking advice and support contact the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service on freephone 0800 068 4490.

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