Push The button - Fire Safety

Push the Button!

18 Oct 2010

Posted by Tony Walley

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging people to check their smoke alarms on Thursday October 21st, on the day they have re-named: ‘Push the Button Day.’
The Push the Button campaign is being driven by the fact that although nine out of ten household have smoke alarms a shocking seven out of ten don’t test them.

To raise awareness of the campaign the Service has recorded their own version of the Sugababes, number one hit single ‘Push the Button.’ The new version by the ‘Sugaflames’ has an accompanying music video in which firefighters from across the County star. 

The chorus of the song says:

“Want your family and home for keeps? You better push your button, check it bleeps, before you get a fire, through it creeps, takes your family while you sleep.”

The Service is confident the video will become a massive Internet hit and it can now be viewed on the Service’s website at: www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk.

Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive, Peter Dartford said:

“We’re continually trying new and innovative ways to get the message out there, about the importance of having smoke alarms and checking them on a regular basis, but a lot of people still aren’t listening. Hopefully they will now after hearing this song and watching the video - you just can’t help but listen to the words and laugh at the video. If the message gets across as we hope, thousands of people across Staffordshire will be testing their smoke alarms this Push the Button Day. “It doesn’t stop there though we’ll be continuing to promote this campaign in the coming months in an attempt to get people to make it a part of their weekly routine.”

Members of the public who need a reminder can sign up to the ‘Push the Button Pledge’ which will send them a weekly email alert. To sign up visit Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s website, www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk .
Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle firefighters will be out and about promoting the campaign around the City. The fist stop for Stoke firefighters is the Union Court Residents Association in Union Street, Hanley at 6.30pm on October 18th.
Newcastle firefighters will be in Newcastle on October 21st to promote Push The Button day, alongside Risk Reduction personnel, Newcastle Fire Station volunteers and the Targeted Response Vehicle from Newcastle. They will be the Roebuck Shopping Centre and The Guildhall in the town centre from 9.00am to 4.30pm.
To book a free Home Fire Risk Check contact: 0800 0241 999. For all other non emergency enquiries contact: 08451 22 11 55 or log onto: www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk or www.direct.gov.uk/firekills. In an emergency dial 999.