Fire safety drive for older people
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service launches its Young at Heart, Safe at Home campaign on Thursday to mark International Day of Older Persons.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service launches its Young at Heart, Safe at Home campaign on Thursday to mark International Day of Older Persons.
The campaign is because all five fire deaths in the county since the start of the year have involved elderly people. Since 2007, 81 per cent of fire deaths in Staffordshire have involved those over the age of 65.
The service is holding coffee and cake mornings/afternoons in libraries and fire stations on the day to celebrate the launch.
At the service HQ at Pirehill, near Stone, ex-firefighters from the Retired Members Network are invited to "fire service" cake and coffee with fire chief Peter Dartford.
He will outline campaign plans and appeal for retired members to spread the word among friends and family about the free home fire risk checks the service offers.
"It's a really shocking fact that all of our fire deaths since the start of the year have involved elderly people and unfortunately this reflects the trend of recent years. It is also worrying that unless something is done, the number of deaths from fire could increase, as our population becomes older and consequently more vulnerable
"We are determined not to allow that to happen, hence our commitment to engage with those who will undoubtedly benefit from our services," said Mr Dartford.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Authority chairman, Councillor Len Bloomer, said: "As well as being International Day of Older Persons on October 1, it is also National Grandparent's Day on October 4, so both these days provide the perfect opportunity for us to get the safety message out there - not just to the elderly people, but also to the people who come into contact with them, whether they be relatives, carers or neighbours."
He said retired firefighters were the perfect advocates for the campaign. "We are encouraging them to help us to spread the word amongst their friends and family.
" We'll also be using this event to chat to the retired members, many of whom are elderly themselves, to get their ideas on the best ways to get our safety messages out to those who need them."
Coffee and cake mornings at fire stations from 10.30am to 3.30pm include: Brewood, Bargate Lane; Codsall, Duck Lane; Kinver, Fairfield Drive; Penkridge, Boscomoor Lane and Wombourne, Giggetty Lane. Lichfield Library, The Friary has its event 10am-noon. Visitors will have coffee and cakes and get to speak to firefighters about fire safety in their homes.
Lichfield Risk Reduction Officer Carmel Warren said elderly and vulnerable people were their prime target audience – it was their priority to ensure they were safe.
It was an excellent opportunity to pass on important fire safety information and promote home fire risk check service ready for the winter months. "It's also going to be a great social event for the guests who will be able to meet new people in the area and interact with them over coffee and cake."
