New fire safety kit launched for unpaid carers
BBCA new safety toolkit has been launched for unpaid carers in Derbyshire to help prevent fires in the home.
The idea was developed by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service (DRFS) after a review of fires in the county at the homes of people with care and support needs.
Between March 2022 and December 2024, the service said 25 incidents it attended resulted in 28 casualties, including 16 deaths.
Matthew Thompson, community safety officer, said: "The idea is we want to prevent any fire-related serious incidents in the home."
The toolkit aims to help carers think proactively about fire safety in the home - with support to plan escape routes, use appropriate detection and alarm systems, and access wider support available for unpaid carers.
Thompson said the new kit was designed to be "accessible to all" and included a version produced in British Sign Language (BSL).
"This gives out all the safety measures we would give in a fire safety visit, this is all about prevention, but it also tells people what to do in the event of a fire and what protective equipment can be used to keep the home safe.
"[Some people] are at a higher risk and may not be able to do certain things for themselves so this toolkit helps."
Avril Simcox, 76, from Alvaston, in Derby, has cared for her husband Stephen for the past last two and a half years.
She said the toolkit was "extremely helpful".
"It was excellent. I made several notes to take home with me, because there are things I know that I'm not doing and to go and check.
"It was easy to understand, presented very well and it was very relevant to me.
"It's made me aware of things that you don't think of because you've never been in those circumstances before."
Adam Burch, relationship manager at smoke alarm provider Aico, added: "It's great to be involved with such an important project that will have a direct and long-standing impact.
"We focus our attention on fire detection but appreciate that prevention is key."
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