Action taken over bedtime fire deaths
Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service has developed a bedtime safety campaign to raise the awareness of the importance of having a bedtime routine.
This was based on data from the previous year that established a number of fire deaths and injuries that were caused by people drinking, smoking and cooking late at night and them becoming distracted or falling asleep.
One part of the campaign focused on the most vulnerable, aged between 75 – 85 who are often alone when they die or are injured (not necessarily living alone).
The importance that a home fire safety visit can make to a vulnerable person’s life is invaluable and not only from the fire safety aspect. From the fire officer’s perspective empathy is always needed when carrying out a home visit as they are in the privileged position to observe if there are any other home safety issues that can be signposted to other agencies.
CM Richard Morris is part of the Torquay Prevention team and first met Rita from Brixham in 2015 after completing her Home Fire Safety Visit. During the visit Richard noticed Rita’s hands were shaking badly which meant she had problems locking and unlocking her front door quickly.
An important part of any bedtime safety routine is getting out the house as fast as possible and knowing where your front door keys are. Richard realised that if a fire were to take place Rita would have an issue with opening her front door quickly with a key, especially with the added anxiety of the smoke alarms going off.
Richard saw the need for an alternative option and after 10 months of persistence on Richard’s part a magnetic lock and key were fitted to the front door.
Rita said: “The magnetic key is amazing and it’s made a huge difference to my life. I call it my magic door!
“From outside I just click and I’m in my house, (no more standing out in the pouring rain trying to get my key in the door). Once I’m in, I shut my door and it locks automatically.
“My greatest longing is to stay independent. This is a big priority to me and with the support from the Fire Service it has enabled me to stay in my home. Now I feel well and truly safe and secure.”
Richard added: “The magnetic key has improved Rita’s daily life, but from the Fire Services perspective it was important to ensure she could get straight out her front door if a fire were to occur.”
Top tips for Bedtime Safety
When you are asleep, it takes longer to notice the signs of a fire. If you don't have a working smoke alarm, there will be nothing to wake you.
Make sure you:
· fit a smoke alarm on at least every level of your home and test them regularly. A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time in a fire
· make sure everyone knows where the door and window keys are kept
· close inside doors at night to stop a fire from spreading
· check the cooker is turned off
· turn off and unplug electrical appliances (unless they are meant to be left on, like your freezer)
· put candles and cigarettes out properly
· make sure exits are kept clear to ensure a speedy exit
If you have a dependant to think about:
Make sure you’ve planned an escape route and think of any difficulties people may have and help will need getting out, such as a torch to light their way or a stair rail.
Consider the best place to go if the worst happens and someone can’t escape, especially if they have trouble moving around or can’t get downstairs on their own.
Nominate someone in your home (perhaps a child) to be the ‘Escape champ’ - Regularly role-play escape routes and give children the responsibility to keep escape routes clear.
To request free Home Safety advice call free on: now 0800 0502999.
For any other fire safety advice, contact the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue helpline on: 01392 872288 or see our pages on escape plan.
