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Significant drop in fire fatalities in 2012

As part of Fire Safety Week 2012, the fire service are urging people to remain fire safety conscious.

NEW FIGURES FROM the Irish Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) show a significant reduction in the number of deaths from fires in Ireland so far this year.

Some 17 fire fatalities were recorded during the first nine months of 2012 compared to 30 for the corresponding period last year.

The figures were released today to coincide with the launch of Fire Safety Week.

Speaking at the launch today, CFOA Chairperson Seamus Murphy welcomed the fall in deaths but said “one life lost remains one life too many”.

“Sadly, many of the fatalities that have occurred this year could have been prevented,” he said. “These tragic incidents serve as a stark reminder to us all of the importance of installing working smoke alarms and the need to have an escape plan should it become necessary to evacuate.”

Murphy said it is vital that people ensure their smoke alarms are in good working order and that families know what to do if a smoke alarm activates.

During Fire Safety Week, fire services throughout the country will be highlighting the importance of testing your smoke alarms regularly and having escape routes planned. They will also be requesting schools undertake fire drills during the week.

Firefighter demonstrating the dangers of a chip pan fire at the Dublin Firefighter Brigade training centre in Marino, Dublin. (Image: Trevor Hunt)

Fire Safety Week messages:

  • Install smoke alarms in your home to give you an early warning, check your smoke alarm at least twice a year & Use long life lithium batteries with your smoke alarm if possible
  • Close all your doors at night and check that electrical appliances are switched off.
  • Avoid overloading electrical sockets
  • Use an effective spark guard with open fires
  • Clean your chimneys twice a year
  • Keep a fire extinguisher and/or fire blanket nearby and know how to use them
  • Use electric blankets sensibly – Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
  • Make sure cigarettes are extinguished properly – Avoid smoking in bed
  • In the event of a fire in your home get out, stay out and call the fire brigade out

Read:Police treating blaze at Co Down pub as arson>

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12 Comments
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    Mute David Fenton
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:42 PM

    It might be worth people’s while reading up a little on card skimming machines. If you have some idea of what to look for you can protect yourself to some degree. However, it’s always best to avoid using machines in poorly lit and poorly serviced areas and always check your statements regularly. Here’s a bunch of articles with pictures to give you an idea of what’s out there. http://krebsonsecurity.com/all-about-skimmers/

    65
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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:29 PM

    Best tip is to simply always place your hand directly over keypad when entering PIN. PIN is key, while your card details maybe compromised without PIN bank cannot hold you liable for CNP payments which is all they can do without PIN

    22
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    Mute Sean Hyland
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:42 PM

    The best tip would be to re introduce border controls on eastern block countries and stop criminal gangs moving in. Bulgaria borders open 2014 roll up all in!

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    Mute Johnny Gobstock
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:14 PM

    exactly Sean, we never had this crap until they opened the borders to them

    25
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    Mute john mack
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    Nov 27th 2012, 7:15 AM

    Would have to second the website http://krebsonsecurity.com very informative, one point to note is if you see skimming device or notice any unusual device don’t use machine, don’t try to remove device yourself, the gang that installed it normally wait nearby to prevent people from removing their Skimmers and cameras mostly with a bit if force.

    5
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    Mute Fussy Galore
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    Nov 26th 2012, 9:37 PM

    I was recently scammed by one of these CIE vending machines – I was charged €2.80 for a single journey from Tara street to Lansdowne. People need to be vigilant.

    60
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    Mute ITS Student
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:19 PM

    Anyone who uses a credit card nowadays must love paying €40 stamp duty even if they use their card just once. The best advice I can offer is for people to use cash instead of credit cards. Cash is quicker and easier.

    28
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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:36 PM

    i agree but i have awful problems sending cash down the internet, just won;t fit into the socket ;)

    241
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    Mute ITS Student
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:50 PM

    Why not use a Debit Card instead?

    or Paypal?

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    Mute siobeli
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:56 PM

    Very smug suggestion!! So how do I access my cash if I’m paid into the bank if I don’t use a cash machine to get it, as work during banking hours?
    Why should people have to suit criminals?

    37
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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:01 PM

    People do get mugged as well!

    35
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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Nov 27th 2012, 3:00 AM

    Debit cards now cost per transaction with most banks so over the year they’ll work out a lot more expensive than a credit card.
    not all online retailers use PayPal your fairly stuck tryin to pay motor tax online with a hand full of coppers…

    3
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    Mute Donal Rafferty
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:10 PM

    Do you have to put your pin in those machines now? It’s been awhile but the last time I used one I just put my card in and out without putting in a PIN.

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    Mute Redmond Scanlon
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:51 PM

    Yeah you have to put your pin in now.

    18
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    Mute Neil McAuley
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:53 PM

    Donal I’m pretty certain that the system where u could enter a bank card without entering a PIN is no longer on place. I used do that also. Best way to avoid this scam is to book in advance ( to avail of a better fare) and enter the reference number that they email u or use cash.

    35
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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:02 PM

    siobeli,

    In fairness to ITS student, his comment is around the govt asking for a cashless society and then penalising people for this.

    My comment was an attempt at humour, i know i know, don’t give up the day job.

    22
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    Mute fizi_water
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    Nov 26th 2012, 8:31 PM

    They can skimm my card what they want, there are usually only 3-4 days every month they would be able to take anything substantial from me (yes…after pay day lol). Any other day they might be welcomed with message “we are sorry there are no sufficient funds in your account to complete transaction, would you like to try another amount? “. See how smart way to cheat the cheaters :)

    But for all other minted people, why dont you get 2nd laser card just for carring around with small limit, separate to your main bank account with planty of money?

    21
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    Mute Mac Ready
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    Nov 26th 2012, 6:32 PM

    Another scam currently doing the rounds certainly in Dublin city centre is where ATM user puts their card in enters their pin selects amount to withdraw card should come back out of card reader but appears to be stuck there is usually someone standing over your shoulder taking not of your PIN number and will advise u that the card has been eaten and you need to go into the branch when you move off they will remove the card trapping device and your card and clear your account

    18
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    Mute Johnny Gobstock
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:13 PM

    best tip to do there is ‘don’t move off”, just stand there and wait. do as it says on the warning sign, call the garda for assistance, just stand there and wait. that will make them sweat.

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    Mute mick lennon
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:47 PM

    Im blaming the bankers for this too

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    Mute Lorraine Chambers
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    Nov 26th 2012, 6:07 PM

    Pay online from home and get a Leap card which can be used for the bus, train and Luas. One can top it up at most local shops.

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Nov 27th 2012, 3:03 AM

    If you live in Dublin….

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    Mute Robin Pickering
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    Nov 27th 2012, 5:10 AM

    Talk about dumb criminals! Don’t they realise that after paying the cost of a trip on public transport, only a tiny few would have anything left to steal?

    5
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