Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service reaches out to deaf and hard of hearing communities during Deaf

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service reaches out to deaf and hard of hearing communities during Deaf Awareness Week

More than 900,000 people in the UK are severely or profoundly deaf and would be

unable to hear ordinary smoke alarms at night.

Therefore, as part of Deaf Awareness Week (15-21 May), Merseyside Fire & Rescue

Service is reminding the county’s residents to make sure they fit and test the right

smoke alarms for those who suffer from hearing loss in their homes.

A whole range of alarms have been designed specifically for the hard of hearing, with

features ranging from strobe lighting and vibrating alarms to small wearable radio-

linked pagers. These specialist alarms can save lives, alerting people to a fire in their

home even if they remove their hearing aid at night.

For anyone concerned that a relative, friend or neighbour may not be able to hear

their smoke alarm in the event of a fire, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service may be

able to provide them with a hard of hearing smoke alarm featuring a vibrating pad

and light strobe.

Station Manager for Community Safety Prevention & Protection, Kevin Johnson,

said: “It is vital that people who are deaf or hard of hearing ensure they have the

right smoke alarm technology in their home to protect them – and that they test them

regularly, to make sure they work.

“Many people with hearing loss could be at serious risk if they don’t have the right

alarms in place. Specialist alarm systems provide valuable time to escape from a

house blaze. Without it, lives could be lost.

“Anyone unsure about the alarms they need should contact Merseyside Fire &

Rescue Service for a Home Fire Safety Check. We are here to help make sure your

home is as fire safe as possible.

“Home Fire Safety Checks offer people the opportunity to get invaluable advice

about planning escape routes, positioning alarms and ensuring that appropriate

working smoke alarms are fitted in your home.”

Communications Officer: Sophie Corless 0151 296 4412 Mob: 07764 804 578 E-mail:

SophieCorless@merseyfire.gov.uk

Corporate Communications, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Bridle Road, Bootle, Merseyside L30 4YD.

www.merseyfire.gov.uk

If you have concerns that a relative or friend may not be able to hear their smoke

alarm in the event of a fire please call 0800 731 5958 or fill out the Home Fire Safety

Check request form on www.merseyfire.gov.uk

People who have difficulties with speech or are hard of hearing or deaf can email

fireservicedirect@merseyfire.gov.uk requesting fire safety information to be sent to

them.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service also urges people who are unable to make a

voice call to 999 to register their mobile phones with the emergency SMS service.

This allows them to text an emergency call to any of the UK’s emergency services.

To do this they should text ‘register’ to 999 and then follow the instructions received.

Or for further information visit www.emergencysms.org.uk

Once registered the person can make an emergency call by sending a text to 999.