Miss-Delectable
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Smoke Alarms Introduced For Deaf People
A new initiative has been launched that will allow people with hearing difficulties to have special smoke alarms fitted, warning them if a fire breaks out in their property. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) is launching the 'deaf alarm' systems, which could save the life of a person with hearing loss in the event of a fire. Research shows that members of the public are twice as likely to die from a fire in their home if they do not have a smoke alarm.
However, for people with hearing difficulties, conventional smoke alarms - which emit a loud noise when they detect smoke - are unsuitable. People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing need additional ways of making them aware that the alarm has been activated, including vibrating pads and flashing strobe lights.
Steve Wright of ESFRS explains: “Statistics show that a third of people with a hearing loss say they would have difficulty waking up to a conventional alarm, especially considering most remove their hearing aids before they go to sleep each night. Our aim is to make these people safer by fitting specialist alarms.”
“Deaf alarms use a vibrating pad which can be placed under a mattress or pillow. When smoke is detected, the alarm will set off a flashing strobe light and cause the pad to vibrate - waking up even the heaviest of sleepers!”
The initiative has been launched with support from the County Council's Adult Social Care department and organisations which help those with hearing difficulties across East Sussex and Brighton and Hove.
Last year, ESFRS launched its community fire safety teams so that home safety advisors could work with local fire crews, visiting the homes of the elderly and vulnerable to fit life-saving smoke alarms. The home safety advisors have now been specially trained by East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre so they can visit the homes of people with hearing difficulties and can advise on fire safety and fire escape measures specifically suitable to them.
Steve continued: “Having a working smoke alarm is essential for every household - and people who are deaf or hard of hearing must have the most suitable alarm for their circumstances. Through our work in the community and with partner organisations, we can identify those people most at need from our support and ensure they have the right smoke alarm for their needs. Our message is simple - smoke alarms save lives.”
A new initiative has been launched that will allow people with hearing difficulties to have special smoke alarms fitted, warning them if a fire breaks out in their property. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) is launching the 'deaf alarm' systems, which could save the life of a person with hearing loss in the event of a fire. Research shows that members of the public are twice as likely to die from a fire in their home if they do not have a smoke alarm.
However, for people with hearing difficulties, conventional smoke alarms - which emit a loud noise when they detect smoke - are unsuitable. People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing need additional ways of making them aware that the alarm has been activated, including vibrating pads and flashing strobe lights.
Steve Wright of ESFRS explains: “Statistics show that a third of people with a hearing loss say they would have difficulty waking up to a conventional alarm, especially considering most remove their hearing aids before they go to sleep each night. Our aim is to make these people safer by fitting specialist alarms.”
“Deaf alarms use a vibrating pad which can be placed under a mattress or pillow. When smoke is detected, the alarm will set off a flashing strobe light and cause the pad to vibrate - waking up even the heaviest of sleepers!”
The initiative has been launched with support from the County Council's Adult Social Care department and organisations which help those with hearing difficulties across East Sussex and Brighton and Hove.
Last year, ESFRS launched its community fire safety teams so that home safety advisors could work with local fire crews, visiting the homes of the elderly and vulnerable to fit life-saving smoke alarms. The home safety advisors have now been specially trained by East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre so they can visit the homes of people with hearing difficulties and can advise on fire safety and fire escape measures specifically suitable to them.
Steve continued: “Having a working smoke alarm is essential for every household - and people who are deaf or hard of hearing must have the most suitable alarm for their circumstances. Through our work in the community and with partner organisations, we can identify those people most at need from our support and ensure they have the right smoke alarm for their needs. Our message is simple - smoke alarms save lives.”