CHESHIRE Fire and Rescue Service is reaching out to local carers during Carer’s Week to remind 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 more than 6.5 million carers in the UK, there are many people with particular fire safety concerns and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is 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 – 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.”
For further information on fire safety visit www.cheshirefire.gov.uk
CHESHIRE Fire and Rescue Service is reaching out to local carers during
Carer’s Week to remind them that help is available to keep them and the
people they care for, safe from fire.
Fire service reaches out to carers
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
