Fire Kills - you can prevent it

Fire Kills

Fire safety information for people with sight, hearing or mobility difficulties

If you have sight, hearing or mobility difficulties, or use oxygen, there are simple steps you can take to stay safe from fire. Register with your local Fire and Rescue Service so that in an emergency the fire crew will be able to provide support tailored to your needs.

Fit a smoke alarm

Fit smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them regularly. Easy access alarms, which can be tested from the wall instead of the ceiling are available if you find it difficult to test your alarm. If you have sight difficulties, putting a coloured sticker on your alarm will help you see it. Most fires in the home happen at night, so make sure your alarm is fitted somewhere that it will wake you up, such as in your bedroom.

If you are unable to fit the alarm yourself, contact your local Fire and Rescue Service who may be able to install it for you.

Find your nearest fire and rescue service and register for help (opens in new window)

Preventing fires

There are specific things you can do to help avoid fires in your home:

  • take care when cooking and be extra careful with hot oil
  • if you use electric blankets, store them flat or rolled up – never fold them
  • make sure candles are kept in secure holders and never leave them unattended
  • be careful of electric leads which give off a burning smell – they could be faulty. If you have sight problems check them carefully by touch and don’t plug them in. Ask someone to check the plug for you
  • if possible, close internal doors when you go to bed to help stop fires from spreading

In the event of a fire

Having an escape route planned can save you valuable time in the event of a fire. Keep all your exits clear and keep keys where everyone in the house can find them. It is a good idea to keep a phone in your bedroom in case you need to make an emergency call. People who use mobility aids such as walking sticks should make sure that these are easily accessible. If you have sight difficulties you may want to place tactile markers along your escape route to help you find your way out of the house.

In the event of a fire, get out of the house as quickly as you can and call 999. If you have a text phone, you can dial 18000 to contact the emergency services.

For more practical advice on staying safe from fire, and information on how you can adapt your home, please follow the links below:

Fire safety in the home
Adapting your home
Fire safety for people with sight, hearing or mobility difficulties (PDF, 507kb)

Additional links

Fire Kills resources
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Fire Kills - You can prevent it