During National Carers Week, we want to remind everyone of the importance of keeping those you care for safe, especially when it comes to fire safety and potential hazards in the home.
Did you know that most fires in the home start accidentally, but their impact can be devastating? As a carer, making sure the safety of both you and the person you care for is vital. By keeping a vigilant eye on potential hazards and taking simple safety steps, you can help prevent dangerous situations.
A working smoke alarm is one of the easiest ways to alert you to danger, giving you precious time to escape. It's essential that both you and the person you care for have smoke alarms on every level of your home and that they are tested regularly to make sure the alarm sounds.
Our top fire safety tips:
- Test your smoke alarm regularly - make sure it’s in working order by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds.
- Take care when cooking - never leave the hob or oven unattended.
- Keep an eye on potential hazards - look out for trip hazards, faulty electrical equipment and flammable materials that could pose a risk.
- Plan and practise your escape route - make sure your escape plan includes safe routes for both you and your loved ones in case of an emergency.
- Make a bedtime check - make sure all electrical appliances are turned off (except items such as a fridge freezer), no electrical items are charging and nothing is blocking your escape routes.
- Don’t overload electric sockets - especially important if the person you care for uses medical devices.
- If you smoke, put cigarettes out properly - make sure all smoking materials are fully extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house.
- Use candles carefully - never leave them unattended and consider using safer alternatives such as LED candles.
- Have your chimney swept regularly - if you have a fireplace, make sure it's properly maintained to reduce fire risks.
- Don’t charge batteries on escape routes or while sleeping - keep charging devices away from pathways to avoid fire hazards.
Request a Home Fire Safety Visit
As part of National Carers Week, why not take a moment to request a free Home Fire Safety Visit? Our staff can assess your home for fire risks and help you identify any hazards, providing tailored advice to make sure you and those you care for are as safe as possible.
Call: 0300 303 8242
Online: www.safelincs.co.uk/hfsc/