Keeping people safer in rented accommodation

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Hundreds of residents in rented homes are to be made safer thanks to an initiative between Jayne Beard Property Management and local firefighters.

Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service recognises that those living in homes of multiple occupancy (HMOs), flats and rented accommodation can be at greater risk when fires break out. So to keep people safe they work with local landlords to ensure smoke detectors are fitted in these properties.

As a special initiative BLFRS decided also to approach Jayne Beard as a local property team with more than 800 homes to let to train staff to carry out informal “home fire safety checks”. Where smoke detectors are required, BLFRS will fit them - as they will in any household in Bedfordshire and Luton.

Said Jane Cain, Director of Jayne Beard Associates: “We have had training in a general risk assessment of fire safety, the main check being that the property has a working smoke detector. We can also advise tenants on home safety.”

Community Safety Officer Derek Hobbs, pictured far right with a team of firefighters from Bedford Station and staff from Jayne Beard, said:

“Anyone can phone 0800 043 5042 or log on to www.bedsfire.com and ask us for a free home fire safety check which will involve fitting a smoke detector.

“But we try to reach out to people in the community through a variety of activities and partnership work. This arrangement with Jayne Beard will be very helpful and we thank them for taking the time to work with us.

“If any other bona fide letting agents would like to talk to us then I would be glad to hear from them.”

Preventing, Protecting and Responding is the national motto of all fire and rescues services. BLFRS responds to emergency 999 calls but in addition spends much time working to prevent fires and to protect people from deaths and injuries in the home and on the road. The fitting of smoke detectors is a main way to ensure people escape from burning buildings before it is too late. A current national campaign points out that people can “drown” in toxic smoke after just taking a few breathes of smoke in their sleep.