Be safe and sound from fire
Many fires in the home happen during the night, so what happens if you’re deaf or hard of hearing and you’ve taken out your hearing aids to go to sleep, or turned off/removed the processor of your cochlear implant?
The Fire Kills campaign is encouraging people who are deaf or hard of hearing to consider how well protected they are from fire. Recent advances in technology mean that there is a range of smoke alarm systems available to alert you to a fire which could save your life.
A third of people with hearing loss say they would have difficulty waking up to a conventional sound-emitting alarm, especially considering most remove their hearing aids/processor before they go to sleep each night. Almost a quarter (23%) say they would even struggle to know if the alarm went off during the day.
If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, an alarm with vibrating pads or flashing strobe lights could make a real difference in keeping you safe from fire. Most major smoke alarm manufacturers are making advances in technology – including WiFi technology which allows a regular smoke alarm to communicate with a remote alarm which you can take anywhere in the house. This could alert you to a fire no matter how far you are from the alarm. The WiFi technology can also be used to communicate with a vibrating pad under your pillow, alerting you to fires during the night.
In addition to bespoke alarm systems, there is a range of steps that you can take to help ensure you and your family stay safe from fire:
- Test it weekly. A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999. If it is difficult for you to call 999, ask a neighbour to do it for you.
- Plan your escape route. Make sure you and your family know the quickest way out in the event of fire. Consider an alternative route in case your usual one is blocked. Keep all hallways clear and free of clutter, and keep keys where you can find them in case you need them in a hurry.
- Stay safe in the kitchen. This is the area of the house where most accidental fires start. Never leave cooking unattended and after cooking check electrical appliances are switched off.
- Ask the experts. Fire and rescue services may offer free home fire risk checks to identify potential fire risks and advise what to do to reduce or prevent them. They will also have more information on getting the best alarm to suit your needs and installing it correctly.
Click here for more information on how to stay safe from fire, book a free home fire risk check and download the new Fire Kills leaflet - Fire Safety for People with Sight, Hearing or Mobility Difficulties.
Check out Julie Walters' Fire Kills TV ad, here.
