Test an elderly person's smoke alarm and help save a life

As well as encouraging you to test your smoke alarms regularly, Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue are working alongside a Fire Kills campaign to encourage you to test the smoke alarms of older relatives, friends and neighbours.

Testing smoke alarms can often be a tricky operation for an older person. The position of the alarm makes it harder to reach as well as the changing of the batteries.

Did you know they are four times more likely to die in a fire if they do not have a working smoke alarm?

An early warning is vital for everyone to make a safe escape in a fire, even more so for those less able to move quickly. Last year in England, half of all people who died in accidental household fires were aged 65 and over.

Older relatives, friends and neighbours would have less than two minutes to escape in a fire before the air becomes un-breathable and they would be rendered unconscious.

So a working smoke alarm can give your loved ones the extra time they need in a fire to get out, stay out and call 999. By checking their alarm when you visit you will be making a life-saving step.

Simple steps to help keep your older friends and relatives fire safe:

• Make sure they have a smoke alarm on every level of their home;
• Test their smoke alarm whenever you visit to help give them the vital extra seconds they need to escape in a fire;
• If you are a carer, make sure you close household doors at night;
• Look for electrical risks such as frayed wires and overloaded plugs to help reduce the risk in their home;
• Unplug appliances such as heaters and electric blankets when they’re not in use;
• Invest in vibrating smoke alarms for the hard of hearing;
• Easy-reach smoke alarm testers are available for those with limited movement;
• Linked alarm systems also give early warning of a fire, wherever it is in the building.

For more information on the campaign visit my aging parent.

Article by Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service