Firefighters are urging people who are deaf or hard of hearing - or
who share a home with someone with hearing loss - to check that they
have effective smoke alarms. The plea comes on the eve of Deaf Awareness
Week, organised by the UK Council on Deafness, which runs from 6 to 12
May.
An estimated one million adults in the UK are unable to hear an ordinary smoke alarm, either because of hearing difficulties or because they remove their hearing aids at night.
A
number of alarms have been designed specifically for people who are
hard of hearing, with features ranging from strobe lighting and
vibrating alarms to small wearable radio-linked pagers.
British
Standard BS5446-3:2005, which was amended in 2007, 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.
Roy Hocking, from Buckinghamshire Fire &
Rescue Service's community safety team, 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 alarm in place. A
specialist alarm system provides valuable time to escape from a house
fire. Without it, lives could be lost.
"Anyone unsure about the
alarm they need should contact us for a free safety check in their home.
We are here to help make sure your home is as safe from fire as
possible."
Source : About my Area , UK : 7th May 2013
Smoke alarm is an essential device that can help to detect smoke which is typically as the indicator of fire. It is very useful to have this device for the safety of your family. Therefore, it is suggested for you to install smoke alarm at least one in every level of your house.
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