Local fire and rescue service reaches out to local carers

Carers Week 2013 takes place from 10 to 16 June. With over 6.5 million unpaid carers in the UK (that’s 1 in every 8 adults), this year the focus is on how the UK’s current carer population is coping and whether the wider population is prepared for future caring responsibilities.

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is reaching out to local carers and reminding them that help is available to keep them, and the people they care for, safe from fire.

A recent survey showed that more than half of the few people who had tested their smoke alarm for someone else had done so for an older family member. But there are many other issues a carer must think about – from the extra time it takes for people with difficulty moving to escape a fire in the home, to the added risks of flammable equipment such as oxygen cylinders.

Phil Martin, Community Safety Area Manager said: “There is lots of help available for carers to make sure that they and their loved ones are protected – be it simple safety advice over the phone or on our website.

“The simplest thing any carer can do to prevent fire in their home is to make a few easy additions to their normal routine. Testing your loved one’s smoke alarm weekly and planning an escape route could help give them the vital extra seconds they need to get out in a fire. Simple steps such as closing doors at night and avoiding overloaded plug sockets will help reduce the risk in their home.

“A huge variety of specialist safety equipment is also available – vibrating smoke alarms for the hard of hearing, easy-reach smoke alarm testers for those with limited movement and linked alarm systems are just a few options to help you feel safer.”

Some simple everyday checks can help prevent a household fire:

a working smoke alarm can give your loved ones the extra time they need to escape a house fire. Make testing the batteries of their alarms part of your weekly routine
if you can, close inside doors at night. This will help prevent a fire from spreading
if you use oxygen, make sure the equipment is stored safely out of direct sunlight, well ventilated, always dry and away from heat sources.
never have open flames, smoke or use electrical appliances such as hairdryers, whilst using oxygen

Specialist equipment is available:

if you live with the person you care for, consider fitting an intercom which will allow you to alert someone else in the house in an emergency
if you or the person you care for has difficulty hearing you can get specialist smoke alarms which use a strobe light and vibrating pads
alternatively consider linking the alarm system to your own – this can alert you to any danger
a coloured sticker on the smoke alarm can help people with trouble seeing it to test it
placing a tactile indicator along your escape route can make it easier for those with sight difficulties to find the exit
easy access smoke alarms are available for people who have trouble moving around. These can be tested from the wall rather than the ceiling. The Disabled Living Foundation can provide more information on these products.

For more information on Carers Week please visit their website. For further or visit the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service website and watch their home safety video.