October 2025

Autumn Awareness: Staying Fire Safe from September into October

Hello from everyone at Smiths Fire LLP in Kettering! Now that September has come to a close and we find ourselves halfway through October, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on last month’s key fire-safety stories and look ahead to the season’s priorities.

September brought a strong message about preparation and prevention. Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue launched its annual reminder for households to have chimneys swept and heating systems checked before winter fully arrives, a small step that prevents many fires every year. Local crews were also kept busy, responding to several overnight incidents, including a house fire on Military Road in Northampton in the early hours of September 7. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported, but it served as a timely reminder that fire safety never takes a break.

On a more positive note, the county’s fire service received recognition from HMICFRS, confirming that previous “causes of concern” around equality, diversity and inclusion had been addressed which is an encouraging sign of progress and professionalism within our local service. September also saw the “30 Days 30 Ways” emergency-preparedness campaign run by West Northamptonshire Council. It encouraged residents to think about wider safety planning. Everything from home fire precautions to flood readiness, highlighting how resilience and awareness go hand in hand.

October has already brought a noticeable change in the air, shorter evenings, cooler temperatures and the first real signs of autumn settling in. These changes come with their own set of fire-safety considerations. With boilers, log burners and electric heaters being switched back on, now’s the ideal time to check your smoke alarms, ensure extinguishers are serviced, and make sure emergency lighting is working correctly.

We’ve also seen important local developments. A Northamptonshire secondary school temporarily closed ten classrooms early this month while fire-safety measures were reviewed and upgraded. Proof that vigilance and early action make all the difference. Meanwhile, plans have been submitted for a new, modern fire station in Kettering, which, once approved, will strengthen emergency coverage in our area and provide better facilities for crews and the community alike.

Recruitment for Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue’s wholetime and on-

call firefighters has also reopened this month; a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to make a direct difference in public safety.