2. Smoke alarms
This leaflet has been developed for save lives
people with sight, hearing and mobility
difficulties and those who care for them.
It provides practical advice and tips that Fit smoke alarms on every
will help protect you from the risk of fire. level of your home.
• est the batteries every week.
T
TECT YOUR
Never disconnect or take
RO E W
them out if the alarm goes
off by mistake.
P OM ITH
• f you can’t fit the alarm
I
yourself, contact your local
Fire Service who may be able
to fit it for you.
H • ost house fires happen
M
at night, so make sure your
MOMKE
alarm is in a position that
SA L A R S
will wake you up, such as
in your bedroom.
Top tip
Fit smoke
alarms
3. Tips if you have hearing, sight
or mobility difficulties
Hearing difficulties Sight difficulties Mobility difficulties
• f you have a hearing difficulty
I • ut a coloured sticker on your
P • f it is difficult to test your
I
you can get a smoke alarm smoke alarm if you have trouble alarm ask somebody to do
which uses a strobe light and seeing it to test it, or ask your it for you. You can also get
vibrating pads. Alternatively local Fire Service if they can easy access alarms, which
consider linking the alarm provide a coloured cover. can be tested from the wall
system, which can alert you rather than the ceiling. The
• onsider fitting bump-ons
C
of any danger. Disabled Living Foundation
(also known as plastic blisters)
can provide more information
• n the event of a fire, if it is
I to appliances as a way of
on these products.
difficult for you to call 999 making sure they are switched
yourself, ask a neighbour off properly. • f you have trouble moving
I Further information
to do it for you. around, consider fitting an and contact details
• heck electrical leads
C
intercom which will allow for specialist support
• f you have specialist
I regularly by touch. If they
you to alert someone else available can be
equipment, such as a text are frayed or faulty don’t
in the house in the event found at the back
phone or minicom, you plug them in or switch them
of an emergency. of this leaflet.
can contact the emergency on. If electrics are giving off
services on 18000. a burning smell turn them off • ake sure you have easy
M
and unplug them immediately. access to any mobility aids
you may need, such as
• ou may also want to consider
Y
a walking stick.
placing a tactile indicator along
your escape route to make it
easier to find the exit.
4. If you use oxygen If you use an
electric blanket
• ake sure your oxygen
M Never smoke Store electric blankets flat
equipment is stored safely out or use electrical or rolled up. Folding them
of direct sunlight, well ventilated, appliances, such as can cause damage and
always dry and away from hairdryers, whilst increase the risk of fire.
heat sources. using oxygen.
• on’t use oxygen near naked
D • ater and electricity don’t mix,
W
flames, including gas and so avoid getting an electric
electric cookers – 3 metres blanket wet. If you do, wait
is a safe distance. until it is completely dry before
using it again.
• or further information,
F
contact your oxygen supplier. • ever use a hot water bottle
N
and an electric blanket together.
• est electric blankets every three
T
years. Your local Fire Service or
Age Concern may do this for
you for free.
3m
Store electric
blankets flat
or rolled up
5. Plan an escape route In the event of a fire
Think about all possible • ake sure exits are kept
M Don’t tackle fires yourself.
escape routes in case clear and well lit. If you can, get out, stay out
there’s a fire. and call 999.
• ake sure you know how
M
your house or personal
• t is a good idea to practise
I alarm works, including • f you can’t dial 999 yourself get
I
an escape so that you feel any passwords or codes. a neighbour to do it for you.
confident you could do it
• f you can’t get out stay in a
I
day or night.
room with a shut door, window
• eep a phone in your bedroom
K and phone, ideally at the front
in case you need to make an Keep keys where of the house.
emergency call. If it’s a mobile, you can find them
• ut bedding round the bottom
P
keep it charged. in case you need
of the door to block out the
them in a hurry.
smoke, then open the window
and call “HELP FIRE” . Keep
a whistle handy if it’s hard
to shout.
• f you can, close inside doors
I
at night. This will help prevent
a fire from spreading.
Top tip
Plan an escape Get out, stay
route out and call 999
6. Support tailored to More information Remember these general
your needs and support tips from our Fire Safety in
the Home leaflet to stay safe
from fire.
The numbers for your • ontact your local Fire Service
C Electric blanket testing Support for people who
local Fire Service or Social or Social Services if you need or access to handymen are deafblind
Services can be found in the practical help tailored to meet Age Concern Sense
Fit smoke alarms on every
phone book, via directory your needs. They may be able Freephone 0800 00 99 66 0845 127 0060
level of your home.
enquiries or online at to fit a smoke alarm for you or www.ageconcern.org.uk Textphone: 0845 127 0062
www.direct.gov.uk provide other safety equipment. www.sense.org.uk Test your smoke alarm batteries
Help the Aged
every week. Change them every
• ee the Fire Safety in the Home
S 020 7278 1114
Information and support year. Never remove them.
• egister with your local Fire
R leaflet for further advice and www.helptheaged.org
for people who are disabled,
Service if you have a sight, top tips. Avoid leaving children in the
especially for those with
hearing, mobility difficulties Free, impartial advice on kitchen alone when cooking
• 99 should only be used for
9 cerebral palsy
or if you use oxygen. This will disability and mobility is on. Keep matches and
real emergencies. Scope
mean a fire crew is made aware products saucepan handles out of
0808 800 3333
of your circumstances in the Disabled Living Foundation children’s reach.
www.scope.org.uk
event of an emergency. 0845 130 9177
Take care when cooking with
www.dlf.org.uk
A national network of hot oil – it sets alight easily.
disability organisations and
Specialist equipment and Extension leads and adaptors
disabled people
advice for blind and partially have a limit to how many amps
Royal Association for Disability
sighted people they can take. Be careful not
and Rehabilitation (RADAR)
RNIB to overload them.
0207 250 3222
0845 766 9999
www.radar.org.uk Dispose of cigarettes carefully.
www.rnib.org.uk
Put them out. Right out.
Advice on fire prevention,
Specialist equipment and Make sure candles are
including downloadable
advice for deaf and hard of always secure and away from
leaflets
hearing people materials that may catch fire –
Contact via... RNID
Fire Kills
like curtains.
www.directgov.uk/firekills
0808 808 0123
Plan an escape route and
Textphone: 0808 808 9000
make sure everyone knows it.
www.rnid.org.uk
If there’s a fire, get out,
stay out and call 999.
Close inside doors at night to
stop fire from spreading.
Phone book Directory Online
enquiries www.direct.gov.uk/firekills
