If you work in the care sector or care for a family member, there is much you can do to help keep the person you care for safe. People who require care support are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of fire, for a variety of reasons:
- They may use healthcare equipment or medicines which carry a fire risk, such as oxygen or emollient creams
- They may be at increased risk due to lifestyle factors
- They may not be able to respond to a fire as quickly
- They may not be able to escape a fire
If you are a family member or a support worker providing care, there are some extra steps to take:
- Be aware of fire risks in the home of the person you are caring for
- Communicate with the person’s family or other supporting agencies to consider what other actions can be taken
- Make sure that fire risk is included in the care plan for your client, including things like using fire retardant bedding, appropriate management of emollient creams and emptying ashtrays on every visit
- If you are a support worker, report the risks to your line manager and ask them to discuss a referral for a Home Fire Safety Visit with the client. If you are a family member you can request a Home Fire Safety Visit yourself with the consent of the person you are caring for
- Ensure the person being cared for has working smoke alarms on each level of their home and help to test them every month
