Safety and accident prevention

Prevention is always the best way to avoid harm; we have options to help you stay safe. We can:

• deliver advice in a group setting
• support you to provide advice to your group
• visit you or someone who feels they need support

Free electric blanket testing

If you have a heated blanket, get it tested in the summer before you need it. Learn more about our free electric blanket testing.

Community events

Our community safety team regularly attends events around the county. Follow our Facebook page to find out where we'll be.

Visits and programmes

We visit schools and organised groups to talk about fire and road safety. We tailor our advice to the audience's age and educational needs.

School talks

For children, key stages 1-3.

For younger children, we use Drago the Dragon to help us explain safety in an age appropriate way. Each child will get a printed Drago book to take home.

For older children, we focus more on the common causes of accidents. We explain how they can take greater responsibility for their own safety.

For more information, email community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Community groups

For all age groups.

We work with group leaders to establish the most appropriate content and delivery for these sessions. This ensures we identify any specific risks and can provide advice tailored to address them. 

For more information, email community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Junior Citizens Trust

For year six children in schools.

We have written eight realistic scenarios designed to replicate home and outdoor environments. Children use these scenarios to make decisions and learn from mistakes in a safe, supervised environment.

The Junior Citizens Trust provides advice on the following:

• fire safety
• personal protection
• home dangers
• rail safety
• first aid
• water safety
• road safety
• internet safety

For more information, visit the Junior Citizens Trust website.

Targeted support: Safe and well

Book a free safe and well visit. A firefighter will come to your home to advise you on any risks and how to ensure you stay safe. 

Targeted support: Firewise

Firewise supports children who have shown an interest in fire or have demonstrated that they are experimenting with fire.

It could be you have found evidence of fire-setting or that the child has hidden matches or lighters. You may be concerned about this behaviour and their attitude to it. The Firewise scheme:

• takes time to understand and address their fire setting behaviours
• provides face to face advice and other resources, delivered by a trained Firewise adviser
• works with carers and young people to make them aware of the possible consequences

Firewise advisers are trained in child protection awareness and supporting special educational needs.

For more information, email julie.jordan@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Targeted support: Adult Learning and Fire Service Project (ALFS)

For adults with additional learning needs.

ALFS gives participants practical advice and helps them develop new safety skills. The course covers all aspects of fire, road and personal safety, as well as first aid and rogue traders. 

For more information, email community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Targeted support: The Phoenix Project

The project targets young people at risk of engaging in anti-social behaviour who have been identified by our early intervention team.

This partnership provides an opportunity for young people to learn more about the work of the fire service. Young people enrolled on the course have an intensive week of education sessions:

• fire prevention
• road safety
• drills similar to those done by firefighters

Each course of around ten 11-14 year olds, runs for five days.

For more information, email community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Training

Cycle training for school children

We offer a free practical on-the-road training programme for children over nine.

Bikeability

This is a wider scheme available in Oxfordshire. Bikeability is supported by the Department for Transport and can also be delivered by our team. 

Visit the Bikeability website for further information.

Biker Down

For motorcyclists, pillion passengers and general road users

You’re the first on the scene of an accident involving a biker. Do you know what to do? Would you know who is most at risk? How to protect the area? Or whether you should remove the helmet of a downed rider?

The free, three hour workshop:

• is delivered to small groups by firefighters.
• covers accident scene management and motorcycle specific first aid training.

"Great course last night- Debs and Nathan did a great job. I've told everyone in the office what they should do if I (or someone like me) falls off and they happen upon it. Will recommend course to everyone who can attend." – Teena Bowes

For more information, email community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk.