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Hearing and sight impairments

Hearing Impairment

Conventional smoke alarms work by emitting a loud noise when smoke is detected, providing the vital early warning of fire, and therefore aiding escape.

If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, there are additional ways to ensure you’d be aware of a fire in your home.

  • If you have a hearing difficulty you can get a smoke alarm which uses a strobe light and vibrating pads.
  • In the event of a fire, if it is difficult for you to call 999 yourself, ask a neighbour to do it for you.
  • If you have specialist equipment, such as a Minicom text-phone or, you can contact the emergency services on 18000.
  • Put a coloured sticker on your smoke alarm if you have trouble seeing it to test it,
  • Consider fitting bump-ons (also known as plastic blisters) to appliances as a way of making sure they are switched off properly. Place helpful indicators along your escape routes and make sure you feel comfortable following them, even if you’re feeling tired in the middle of the night.
  • Make sure all doorways and corridors are kept clear.
  • Have a plan B. The front door is usually your first option, but have a plan B if plan A is blocked.
  • Keep door and window keys near the exit.

 Be prepared - Get out, stay out, call 999

 

Raising the alarm

Register for the SMS 999 service, which will link you automatically to the emergency services.

  • to register text ‘REGISTER’ to 999
  • you will get a reply – then follow the instructions

Make sure your front doorbell is working and is an amplified, flashing or vibrating doorbell so that a neighbour or firefighter can alert you.

Vibrating Pagers

Vibrating pagers can alert hearing impaired and deaf people that there is an emergency and they need to leave the building. They can also be used to communicate with other people who are part of the assisted escape system. The pagers can be used to inform people that there is a need to escape and also to tell them which direction they should travel in.

 

Flashing beacons

Hearing impaired or deaf people need to be made aware that an evacuation is taking place. Where they are likely to be alone in the building, they may need to be provided with a flashing beacon or other similar device. If this type of system is required, check with the appropriate person to see if there is one available within the building. Where there is not, then a suitable buddy system will be required. Flashing beacons may not be appropriate in all buildings, for instance where other lighting conflicts with the beacons.

Sight Impairment

Sight loss

Extra support for those with a sight impairment.  Understanding a person’s sight loss and knowing where to go for extra support can ensure your relative, friend or neighbour is safe from fire in their home and would know what to do in the event of a fire, from escaping their home to calling 999.

Your smoke alarms

Conventional smoke alarms work by emitting a loud noise when smoke is detected, providing the vital early warning of fire, and therefore aiding escape.

  • If you’re blind or have a reduced vision, there are additional ways to ensure you’d be aware of a fire in your home. Consider placing a brightly coloured sticker on your smoke alarm so it stands out against a white ceiling.
  • Consider fitting a strobe light and vibrating pad system. These alarm systems activate in the same way as other smoke alarms but the light and vibrations aid in alerting the resident.

We recommend you fit a smoke alarm on every level of your home (avoiding the kitchen and bathroom) and ask a friend, family member or neighbour to test your smoke alarm every week.

Be prepared - Get out, stay out, call 999

  • Place helpful indicators along your escape routes and make sure you feel comfortable following them, even if you’re feeling tired in the middle of the night
  • Ensure all doorways and corridors are kept clear
  • Have a plan B. The front door is usually your first option, but have a plan B if plan A is blocked
  • Keep door and window keys near the exit and easy to reach
  • Raising the alarm
  • Ensure you’re able to dial 999 on your landline or mobile, markers can be useful.
  • Make sure your front doorbell is working and is an amplified or vibrating doorbell. So, that a neighbour or firefighter can alert you.
  • Check electrical leads regularly by touch when they are unplugged. If they are frayed or faulty don’t plug them in or switch them on.
  • If electrics are giving off a burning smell turn them off and unplug them immediately.
  • You may also want to consider placing a tactile indicator along your escape route to make it easier to find the exit.

Specialist equipment and advice for blind and partially sighted people RNIB 0303 123 9999 www.rnib.org.uk

Support for people who are deafblind Sense 0845 127 060 Textphone: 0845 127 0062 www.sense.org.uk

Specialist equipment and advice for deaf and hard of hearing people

Action on Hearing Loss 0808 808 0123 Textphone: 0808 808 9000 SMS: 0780 0000360 www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk

When did you last check your smoke alarm?

Keeping you safe in your home is our priority.

Safe and well checks are available free of charge and you can simply

Call us on 0800 169 1234 between 9am and 5pm to register, Monday to Friday

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