Waterford Fire Service is urging the public to take simple steps to prevent fires and protect their families as National Fire Safety Week 2026 gets underway.

The campaign was launched today by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne, with this year’s theme being “Know the Room, Know the Risk, Know the Person”.

In 2025, Waterford Fire Service attended more than 1,000 incidents, including 650 fires. More than 100 of those fires occurred in domestic buildings, including houses, apartments and mobile homes.

The service is reminding people to identify potential fire hazards, keep escape routes clear and ensure smoke alarms are fitted correctly, working and tested regularly.

It recommends having a smoke alarm in every room, except bathrooms, kitchens and garages, with at least one alarm on every level of a home as a minimum.

People are also being advised to have their chimneys cleaned and heating systems serviced annually, avoid overloading electrical sockets and never leave devices charging unattended overnight.

With e-scooters and e-bikes becoming increasingly popular, Waterford Fire Service is highlighting the fire risks associated with their lithium-ion batteries.

People are advised to use the supplied charger or an approved replacement, charge devices away from escape routes and unplug them once fully charged.

The service is also encouraging householders to carry out a fire safety check before going to bed and to close all doors at night.

The Community Smoke Alarm Scheme provides free smoke alarms to vulnerable households.

For further information, contact Waterford Fire Service at fire@waterfordcouncil.ie or visit Fire Ireland’s website.

Anyone who discovers a fire should call 999 or 112 immediately.