Summary
The London Fire Brigade offers free home fire safety visits to help people reduce fire risks at home, understand how to stay safe and put the right smoke alarms in place. These visits are especially helpful for vulnerable residents, including disabled people, those with mobility difficulties and people using medical or electrical equipment that can increase the fire risk.
Eligibility
Home fire safety visits are available to all London residents, but priority is given to people who may be at greater risk of fire, including:
- Older people
- Disabled people or people with mobility difficulties
- Smokers
- People using oxygen tanks or other medical equipment at home
- People with memory or cognitive impairments
- Overcrowded households
- Households with a history of fire incidents or near misses
- Families with young children.
Anyone can request a visit, but the London Fire Brigade will offer enhanced visits to higher risk households.
Getting a fire safety visit or other support
Residents can request a free home fire safety visit by calling London Fire Brigade on 020 8555 1200, or by using the online home fire safety checker.
Referrals may also be made by professionals such as social workers, carers, housing officers or health teams.
What happens in a home fire safety check?
Visits are carried out by uniformed London Fire Brigade officers and arranged at a convenient time for the household. The visit is educational, friendly and non-judgemental. During the visit, a trained fire brigade officer will:
- Assess fire risks in the home and identify potential hazards
- Provide personalised fire safety advice
- Help residents create or improve an escape plan
- Explain safe charging and storage of electrical items
- Advise on safe use of heaters, candles and cooking appliances
- Advise on e-bike or e-scooter charging and lithium battery fire risks.
Free smoke alarms
Where needed, the fire brigade officer may install:
- Free smoke alarms, including specialist alarms for deaf or hard-of-hearing residents
- Heat detectors in high-risk areas such as kitchens
- Advice on maintaining alarms and replacing batteries.
Support for high-risk residents
London Fire Brigade can also:
- Refer vulnerable people for follow-up support
- Provide tailored safety plans for people with limited mobility
- Offer advice on safe use of oxygen equipment and non-standard electrical devices.