Scotland’s biggest social landlord has joined forces with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue to help tenants cut the risk of fire in their home.

More than 1500 tenants have already had a Home Fire Safety Visit as part of a successful partnership between GHA and SF&R.

Residents who sign up for the visits are given advice by firefighters on how to keep their home and their family safe. They can also have a smoke alarm fitted if they don’t have one or get their existing one tested.

The roll-out of the home safety visits, including to some of the city’s most vulnerable residents, is just one of the life-saving initiatives introduced as a result of GHA and SF&R working closely together.

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Jointly they have also:

• installed sprinklers in bin stores at 140 multi-storey blocks

• delivered fire awareness training to housing staff and wardens in multi-storey flats

• provided tenants with fire safety leaflets.

Now GHA and SF&R have agreed a formal partnership which will see the two partners continue to work together on keeping communities safe.

GHA Chair Gordon Sloan said: "We have been working very closely with Strathclyde Fire and Rescue for two years and have brought forward a number of projects which are helping improve the safety of our tenants and our communities.

"However, one fire in our properties is one fire too many. We are determined to do much more to raise awareness of fire safety issues in our neighbourhoods and make sure everyone is as safe as they possibly can be. This ground-breaking partnership will allow us to do that."

Lewis Ramsay, Assistant Chief Officer and Director of Community Safety, said: "Domestic fires remain a core challenge for the Fire and Rescue Service, so I’m delighted that we are joining forces with GHA to spread the fire safety message to thousands of their tenants.

"SFR’s link-up with GHA is a great example of partnership working, ensuring that householders get the information and support they need to ensure they and their families are as safe as possible in the home."

(GK)