Omagh fire tragedy - Precautions will reduce fire risks

YESTERDAY morning’s dreadful fire in Omagh, in which seven members of the McElhill family lost their lives, reminded us of our responsibilities to take all of the precautions we can to make our homes as safe as they can be in the event of a potentially lethal fire.

As the McElhill tragedy illustrates, a fire in a house — one just like tens of thousands of others across the country — while a family is sleeping is an extremely dangerous and often fatal situation.

There are many precautions that can be taken to try to minimise the risk. Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers can be added to any building — not just a home — and building regulations encourage the use of materials that offer a degree of resistance to fire. However, being aware of what is going on in a house and the potential danger points is just as important.