If you have any difficulties hearing, seeing or moving about, you need to take extra care to deal with the risk of fire. If you take a few simple steps, learn a few good habits and avoid some bad ones, you avoid almost all fires in the home.
West Midlands Fire Service have provided a website for the Deaf and Hard of hearing community featuring video clips of a British Sign Language interpreter. The website also has text and provides helpful advice including: Emergency calls, Non-emergency calls, Home fire safety check, HFSC booking form, Support team and Deaf community news - West Midlands Fire Service website for the Deaf Community [2].
[2]Top 10 Tips
- Electric Blankets
Trading Standards recommend they have a life span of 10 years. They must be kept dry and flat at all times. Free testing by Trading Standards takes place once a year in Shropshire in the Autumn - Make sure you have working smoke alarms, we recommend at least one per floor
- Never leave cooking unattended
Over 50% of house fires start in the kitchen. Perhaps use a timer as a reminder when cooking - Use torches rather than candles in a power cut
- Never overload your sockets
- Never smoke in bed
- Keep matches and lighters away from visiting children
- Never leave your television on stand-by
- Close your kitchen and lounge door at night
- Make a fire escape plan. Keep escape routes free from obstructions
For a free Home Safety Check call 01743 260298 and leave your details. More useful links:
Shropshire Council area
- Disability Services [3] - Shropshire Council website
- Sensory impairment [4] - Shropshire Council website
To speak to Community Services call 0845 678 9000 and ask for your local team
Telford & Wrekin Council area
- Health and social care [5] - Telford & Wrekin Council website
To speak to the duty officer call 01952 381 280
Other links
- Deaf Community fire safety advice [2] - West Midlands Fire Service
- Disabled Living Foundation [6]
- Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR) [7] - phone 020 7250 3222
- Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) [8] - phone 020 7388 1266
- Royal National Institute For The Deaf (RNID) [9] - phone 020 7296 8000; textphone 020 7296 8001 (minicom)
