Safe and Well
Safe and Well visits are an important part of our prevention activity. They enable us to advise and educate on safety at home, with a particular focus on our most vulnerable residents.
Safe and Well visits are a key part of how West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) helps to keep people safe in their homes. These checks, or visits, focus on the most vulnerable members of our community, offering personalised advice and support to reduce risks in the home.
What is a Safe and Well check?
Safe and Well checks are person-centred home safety visits carried out by our firefighters from one of 38 community fire stations. Checks can be done over the phone or in person at the property. These checks aim to:
- reduce fire risks and vulnerabilities
- offer advice on staying safe
- recommend resources, equipment, or adaptations where needed.

Types of Safe and Well check
WMFS offers these types of Safe and Well check:
Safelincs online home fire safety check
This is the first step in most cases. Safelincs, a partner working with the National Fire Chiefs Council, provides an online home fire safety service that:
- guides you through your home, room by room
- helps identify fire risks
- gives advice on how to reduce those risks
- creates a personalised fire safety action plan
If the check identifies a need for further support, you can choose to securely share your details with WMFS. Our team will then contact you to arrange a Safe and Well visit.
A Safelincs online check takes roughly 15 minutes to complete.
Telephone or face-to-face check
We prioritise people most at risk, based on referrals carefully assessed by our Bookings Team. If you're eligible for a visit:
- A firefighter may call to conduct a telephone check
- Alternatively, a face-to-face visit will be arranged if more detailed support is needed
Even if you don’t qualify for a visit, Safelincs provides vital, personalised advice to help you stay safe.
Telephone checks take roughly 15 minutes.
An in-person visit takes around 20-40 minutes, depending on the risks identified.
What does a Safe and Well check include?
These checks look at a range of factors linked to fire risks, including:
- smoking, alcohol, medication, and drugs
- mental health, dementia
- mobility issues, such as slips, trips, and falls
- hoarding
- loneliness and social isolation
- healthy eating and lifestyles
- home security
- road safety
Our team can also provide a handbook with essential safety and well-being advice. If an in-person visit is conducted, a copy is left with the household, along with any recommended actions or referrals made during the visit.
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How to book a check
1) Start by completing the Safelincs online check using the button below.
2) If a full Safe and Well check is needed, you’ll have the option to share your details securely with our team.
Alternatively, if you cannot use the online form, contact us by phone on: 0800 389 5525
Living outside the West Midlands?
We provide Safe and Well visits for West Midlands residents only. If you’re outside the area:
- you can still complete the Safelincs check
- if eligible for further support, your details will be sent to your local fire service.
For more information on other local brigades safe and well visits, check their websites via the links below:
Frequently asked questions about Safe and Well checks
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Yes, we collaborate with housing providers to assess fire risks, particularly for residents in sheltered housing or extra care schemes.
We recommend including fire risk assessments in letting processes for individuals with care needs.
To find out more about how we work with partners, visit our Partners referrals page.
If you miss your appointment, contact our Bookings Team as soon as possible on 0800 389 5525 to rearrange your visit.
Yes, WMFS offers training for professionals and carers on identifying fire risks and making referrals for Safe and Well checks.
We also provide guidance on specific topics like hoarding and disorganised living.
To book our fire risk presentation training, complete the form below. Alternatively, for bespoke training or further questions, email us at prevention.queries@wmfs.net
Landlords are required to install at least one smoke alarm on each floor of a rented property where at least one room is used as living accommodation (subject to certain exclusions). This has been a requirement since October 2015 for private lets and since October 2022 for social lets.
Landlords must make sure the smoke alarm is working when first installed and at the start of each new tenancy. Once a tenancy has started, it’s usually the tenants who are responsible for testing the alarm.
If an alarm stops working, tenants are advised to replace the batteries. If a smoke alarm is faulty, they should inform their landlord who is required to repair or replace it “as soon as practicable”.
If your landlord hasn’t done this, you can report the issue to your local council, or contact Citizens Advice for guidance.
You can still book a Safe and Well check with us to receive fire safety advice and guidance on staying safe.
Safe and Well checks are aimed at people who are more vulnerable to fire risks. This may include individuals who:
- have limited mobility or physical impairments
- live alone or hoard items
- smoke or use medical oxygen
- have sensory impairments or memory issues.
If you’re unsure, complete the Safelincs online check or contact our team for guidance.
Consent is preferable when referring someone for a Safe and Well check. However, if the individual is at significant risk and cannot give consent, WMFS can still act in the public interest.
Contact us on 0800 389 5525 for advice on these situations.
During a Safe and Well check, we assess risks in your home and provide tailored advice on fire safety, road safety, and overall well-being.
Depending on the risks identified, we may recommend resources, fit safety equipment, or refer you to partner organisations for further support.
The Safelincs online home fire safety check is a free tool designed to help you identify fire risks in your home. It guides you room by room, offering personalised advice and creating a fire safety action plan.
If further support is needed, you can securely share your details with WMFS for a follow-up Safe and Well check.
Yes, professionals, carers, or concerned individuals can refer someone else for a Safe and Well check. You’ll need to provide details about the person, their address, risks and vulnerabilities. If the person is eligible, our team will arrange a visit.
Visits can be arranged through a third-party, such as a close friend or family member, if appropriate.
To refer someone, use our Safe and Well referral form or call us on 0800 389 5525 for assistance.
We may recommend a variety of resources to help reduce fire risks during a Safe and Well check. Examples include:
- hearing-impaired smoke detectors: for individuals with hearing difficulties or other impairments
- linked smoke detectors: for people with limited mobility, high fire risk, or those who hoard
- fire-retardant bedding: for people who smoke in bed
- fire-retardant throws, rugs, and aprons: for individuals who smoke in armchairs or on sofas
- metal bucket with damp sand: for the safe disposal of cigarettes
- community alarm system-linked smoke detectors: for people with complex needs or mobility limitations
- letterbox protectors: for homes at risk of arson or domestic abuse
- heat detectors or cooker safety devices: for individuals with memory issues, sight impairments, or high fire risks from cooking
- mattress toppers: a safer alternative to electric blankets
- fire guards: to protect against open fires or heaters.
This list isn’t exhaustive. There are many products and adaptations available to suit specific needs.
Yes, the occupier must be present during an in-person Safe and Well check. This ensures our advice is tailored to how the household lives and that we can assess any risks specific to the property and its occupants.
All WMFS staff that will attend your home, business premises or other property will almost always be in uniform and will ALWAYS carry a photo identification card.
Visits such as Safe and Well checks (residential) or Safe and Strong visits (commercial) will be by pre-booked appointment only.
Sometimes, unannounced visits may be needed if required under our statutory fire safety duties. Typically, these are to commercial, business or multiple occupancy properties. You should still ask to see the photo ID of the person to verify they work for us.
If you are ever in doubt about the identity of a person claiming to work for WMFS, please call 03300 589 000 and we can verify who they are. If for any reason you’re not able to do this, or feel in any way unsafe, do not hesitate to contact the police.
Safe and Well checks are completed by on-duty firefighters. They may arrive in a fire engine or other fire service vehicle.
Please be aware: Our crews may need to leave suddenly during your appointment if they have to attend an emergency. We apologise if this does happen, but if it does, we’ll rearrange your visit.
All WMFS staff will be in uniform and carry identification, which they will show before entering your home.
If you prefer, you can provide a password to our Bookings Team for added security. Call us on 0800 389 5525 to arrange this.
The Safelincs online assessment takes about 15 minutes.
A telephone Safe and Well check takes roughly 15 minutes.
A face-to-face Safe and Well check usually takes 20–40 minutes, depending on the risks identified.
As our on-duty firefighters carry out these checks, they may need to attend an emergency during your appointment. If this happens, we’ll contact you to reschedule.
We may provide smoke detectors during a Safe and Well check, but this depends on the risks identified in the property.
If you rent your home, it is your landlord’s legal responsibility to ensure smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are installed under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2022. For more information, visit the Gov.UK website.
A Safe and Well check helps to reduce fire risks in the home and promote safety on the roads. During the visit, we may:
- offer fire and road safety advice
- recommend or install equipment
- signpost to partner services for additional support.
The check is free and tailored to help households stay as safe as possible from fires and other emergencies.
Find out more on our Safe and Well page.