Team member delivering a home fire safety check

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service

Home Fire Safety Checks.

Community Safety

Protecting you, your home, and your future

A Home Fire Safety Check (HFSC) is one of the most effective ways we help keep our communities safe. Delivered by our Service, these free visits aim to reduce fire risk, provide practical safety advice, and connect residents with additional support that helps them live safely and independently.

By welcoming us into your home, you are taking an important step toward protecting yourself and those around you.

Request a Home Fire Safety Check

What happens during a Home Fire Safety Check?

Every visit is tailored to the needs of the household. Our trained staff will:

Identify potential fire risks within the home
Provide clear, personalised fire safety advice
Help you create a simple and effective escape plan
Ensure you know what to do in an emergency

Where needed, we can also install vital fire safety equipment, including:

Smoke alarms
Hard-of-hearing alarm systems
Fire safety spray
Letterbox locks
Other protective devices based on individual risk

Our goal is not only to make homes safer today, but to support residents in maintaining that safety long term.

Connecting you to wider support

During a Home Fire Safety Check, we look beyond immediate fire risks. If we identify that additional support may help improve wellbeing or independence, we can make onward referrals to trusted partner organisations such as:

Telecare services
Age UK
OneCall
Citizen’s Advice Northumberland
Other local support networks

This holistic approach ensures residents receive the right help at the right time.

Refer someone for a Home Fire Safety Check

If you are concerned about the safety of a friend, neighbour, or family member - we encourage you to request a visit.

Home Fire Safety Checks are free, confidential, and could save lives.

HFSC Referral Form

Information for Professionals

Professionals play a vital role in helping us reach those most at risk. If you are working with a resident who may benefit from a Home Fire Safety Check, please use the referral link below to submit a request.

Our referral form is quick to complete and typically takes only a few minutes.

Submit a Referral

Alongside referrals, we encourage professionals to reinforce key safety messages with the people they support:

Plan and practise a safe escape route
Cook without distractions and never leave hobs unattended
Keep items away from cooking surfaces
Maintain working smoke alarms
Be aware of carbon monoxide risks - referrals to Citizen’s Advice Northumberland are available for additional support

Staying aware of emerging risks and sharing preventative advice can significantly reduce the likelihood of fire.