Fire Service helps Luton youngsters ‘get independent’

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L-R Trey Cyrus, Lynsey Johnston, Chantelle Westwood and Cassandra Swan in the look at the dangers in the Fire Safety House kitchen

BLFRS is helping young people to ‘Get Independent’ by working with Luton charity LCET.

LCET is an educational trust that undertakes a wide range of work with young people, aged 11 to 19 years.

The ‘Get Independent’ course helps teenagers and twenty-somethings prepare for living on their own. As part of the six-day course, candidates spend half a day at Luton Fire Station.

Fire Service Youth Development Officer Cassandra Swan said :

“We take them through our Fire Safety House and point out the sort of hazards which can easily cause a fire in the home. Young people frequently tell us stories of burning themselves or furniture with hair straighteners that have been left switched on. Cooking is still the biggest risk though, with pans left on the hob.”

LCET's Lynsey Johnston believes the fire service input is invaluable :

“The young people on our course are preparing to live alone for the first time, the advice on fire safety and fitting smoke detectors could save their lives in the future.”

Among the most recent graduates of the course were Chantelle Westwood, aged 19 and Trey Cyrus, aged 16.