Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) is reaching out to those who are deaf or who have a hearing impairment during Deaf Awareness Week (3-9 May) to ensure they have effective smoke alarms.
As part of Deaf Awareness Week, HWFRS is reminding Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s residents to make sure they fit and test the right smoke alarms for those with hearing loss in their homes.
A whole range of alarms has been designed specifically for those with a hearing impairment, with features ranging from strobe lighting and vibrating alarms to small wearable radio linked pagers. These specialist alarms can save lives, alerting people to a fire in their home even if they remove their hearing aid at night.
Emma Roberts, HWFRS Prevention manager, says: “It is vital that people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment ensure they have the right smoke alarm technology in their home to protect them – and that they test them weekly, to make sure they work!
“Many people with hearing loss could be at serious risk if they don’t have the right alarms in place. Specialist alarm systems provide valuable time to escape from a house blaze. Without it, lives could be lost.
“Anyone unsure about the alarms they need should contact Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service to see if they qualify for a free Safe and Well Check. We are here to help make sure your home is as fire safe as possible.”
Safe and Well Checks offer people the opportunity to get invaluable advice from their local fire and rescue service about planning escape routes, positioning alarms and ensuring that appropriate working smoke alarms are fitted in your home.
For more information call the Prevention Team on 0800 032 1155 option 2.
Further safety advice can be found at www.hwfire.org.uk