Be safe and sound during deaf awareness week!
With most domestic fires happening during the night, what happens if you’re deaf or hard of hearing and you’ve taken out your hearing aids to go to sleep?
During Deaf Awareness Week (1 – 7 May 2006), the Fire Kills campaign in conjunction with RNID, the UK’s leading charity for deaf and hard of hearing people, aims to raise awareness of special smoke alarm systems, which could save the life of a person with hearing loss in the event of a fire.
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. Almost a quarter (23%), say they would even struggle to know if the alarm went off during the day. Statistics taken from a survey on Community Equipment and Assistive Technologies undertaken by RNID in March 2005 among 4,000 of the Charity’s membership.
During Deaf Awareness Week, County Fire Officer, William Brown said: "It’s really important that people have working smoke alarms and more specifically, for people who are deaf or hard of hearing to have an alarm that meets their needs.”
“This is particularly important for deaf or hard of hearing people living in rented accommodation, which may have a standard smoke alarm that is unsuitable for them.”
Conventional smoke alarms work by emitting a loud noise when smoke is detected, providing the vital early warning of fire, and therefore aiding escape. People who are deaf or hard of hearing need additional ways of making them aware the alarm has been activated, including vibrating pads and flashing strobe lights.
"Deaf people need to place a vibrating pad under their mattress or pillow at night. If smoke is detected, the alarm will sound and set off the pad to assist in waking them” said Mr Brown.
“We all have a part to play in creating safer communities. Deaf Awareness Week is an ideal opportunity for those who know anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing, to make sure they have alarms that meet their needs.”
Brian Grover, Head of Technology and Research at RNID, says: “Fire can strike at anyone’s home, but not everyone is equally protected because deaf people cannot rely on hearing an ordinary alarm. We encourage deaf and hard of hearing people to think about their personal fire safety and ensure they have the right alarm for their needs.”
Deaf Awareness Week promotes the positive aspects of deafness and social inclusion and raises awareness of the huge range of local organisations that support deaf people and their family and friends. It is important that safety is not overlooked.
British Standard BS5446-3:2005 specifies smoke alarm kits for deaf and hard of hearing people. Products made to this standard give deaf people assurance of quality smoke alarms designed to meet their needs.
For information on deafness and hearing loss please contact RNID on 0808 808 0123 or textphone 0808 808 9000 or visit http://www.rnid.org.uk.
In 2005/06 Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service fitted approximately 3529 smoke alarms including 38 smoke angels and 97 special alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing.