If you have extra needs
If you or a member of your household has any difficulty seeing,n
hearing or moving about the home, you will need to take extra
care to deal with the risk of a fire. There are a number of people andorganisations who can give you help and advice
You can also get help and advice from the following sources.
- Your local Fire and Rescue Service will be able to assess how safe your homeis and help to fit fire
safety equipment such as smoke alarms.
- Your local citizens advice bureau or branch of Age Concern will be able to put you in touch with local
voluntary groups that can also help you.
- You could also ask friends or family members for help.
- You should plan how to escape if there is a fire in your home.
If you live in sheltered accommodation or a residential home, ask your landlord or warden to explain the
safety plans for the premises and make sure you know your nearest route to safety.
Fitting special smoke alarms
- It’s a good idea to fit a smoke alarm inevery room (except in the kitchen and bathroom, where it can be accidentally set off by cooking fumes or steam), especially the living room and bedrooms. This will
make sure that you hear the alarm wherever you are in your home. If it’s difficult for you to fit a smoke alarm yourself, contact your local Fire and Rescue Service or ask a neighbour or family member to fit it for you.
- It’s also important to test the alarm every week to make sure that it’s working properly and
the battery has not run out. If you have difficulties hearing or seeing, or if you sleep deeply, there are special smoke alarms to warn you if there’s a fire and to give you time to get out
- Some smoke alarms have a vibrating pad or strobe lights (or both) that will wake you up when you’re in bed.
- If you have a minor problem with your hearing or if you’re a particularly deep sleeper it’s a good idea to link two ormore smoke alarms (for example, one in the hallway and one in your bedroom).
Then if a fire starts downstairs it will set off both alarms, making sure that you
hear it.
- If you have trouble moving around you’ll need a way of getting help quickly.There are many ways of doing this, including fitting a buzzer or an intercom connected to a neighbour or warden’shome. Or you could have your phone fitted with a system that automaticallycalls for help if a smoke alarm goes off.
Where to go for help
The organisations listed below can give you advice on fire-safety precautions around your home.
- Your local Fire and Rescue Service
- Disabled Living Foundation
- National Federation of the Blind of the UK
- Royal Association for Disability and
- Rehabilitation (RADAR) Royal Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
- Royal Institute for Deaf People (RNID)
- Royal Society for the Prevention of
- Accidents (RoSPA)
- The Residential Sprinkler Association
- Help the Aged Shelter
- Age Concern