Fire Service support for Carers

This Carers' Week (9 – 15th June) Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, as part of the Fire Kills campaign, 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.

Fire safety is yet another worry on an ever-growing list for those with the extra responsibility of looking after an elderly relative, sick friend or a disabled family member.

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.

With over 6.5 million carers in the UK, there are many people with particular fire safety concerns and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Serviceis reminding them that they're not alone. Help, advice and solutions are available to help make their jobs that little bit easier and the homes of those cared for that little bit safer.

Keith Brooks, Head of Prevention and Protection for Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service 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, to a free Home Safety Assessment.

"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."

If you take care of a loved one, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service's advice could help make your – and their – jobs easier should the worst happen:

• Make sure the person you care for is registered with your local fire and rescue service if they have sight, hearing, mobility difficulties, or if they use oxygen. This will mean a fire crew is made aware of your circumstances in the event of an emergency.
• If you have a text phone or minicom, you can contact the emergency services on 18000.
• Make sure that the person you care for knows what to do in the event of a fire.
• It's a good idea to practise an escape so that you and your loved ones feel confident enough to do it by day or night.

For further information on fire safety please visit www.cheshirefire.gov.uk

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