District roadshow spreads home safety awareness

The event was launched on Monday (September 1) to showcase services of the Horsham District Safety Partnership for the wider community - educating residents on fire safety, security, health and addressing other concerns like anti-social behaviour.

Richard Davy of the Fire and Rescue Service said the team are heading out into the community to talk to the people.

“We’re teaching them about home fire safety checks, smoke alarms and safety alarms,” he said.

“I’ve booked several people for the home safety fire checks. This is where someone comes to your home and talks to you about living safely.

“It’s not just for smoke alarms, but also looks at an escape plan,” he added.

Each day the partnership team will be moving to a different market town or village throughout the district and setting up their stands to attract people to engage.

Residents are encouraged to come along and find out what is happening in their area as the Community Safety Partnership works through the 2014/15 priorities which include areas like: anti-social behaviour, violent crime and drugs and alcohol.

Community safety manager Greg Charman said every year a list of priorities are set based on the concerns of residents.

“We work to a specific action plan. Road safety is one of our areas,” he said.

“We feel we need to get out and engage with people more and more. Every day we’re somewhere different.”

This week, the community partnership has been to Henfield, Steyning and Storrington.

Sheila Peever of Horsham District Council said people do not have to be elderly to benefit from the service, it is for those 18 years and over.

“Our youngest member is 18 and our oldest is 104 - we have been doing this for 28 years now,” she said.

Looking into health and wellbeing is Tory Lawrence who can find out your body mass, bone mass and hydration levels, just to name a few.

She said: “It’s all about preventative health care.”

Today (Thursday September 4) the group with be at Billingshurst library car park, 10am to 2pm, and Pulborough Tesco car park on Friday (September 5).

For more details call (01403) 215125.