London firefighters are highlighting fire safety to help carers [in Carer’s Week 8-14 June] looking after individuals living with dementia.
An estimated 982,000 people in the UK are affected by the condition. Separately, in London, over a third of people who die in dwelling fires receive some form of care - either formal or informal. These statistics underline the importance of knowing how to spot the increased dangers in the home for vulnerable dementia patients.
Feltham Red Watch are partnering with local support community group, Seeing Dementia Differently which was set up especially for young carers looking after someone with dementia.
Station Officer Charles Batterbee said: “There is a lot for carers to deal with when looking after dementia patients. As well as hospital visits, medical appointments and administering medication there are also the daily chores of cooking and cleaning. Not surprisingly, fire safety in the home might not be at the forefront of people’s minds. By signposting people to our online Home Fire Safety Checker, we’re encouraging carers to use it as a simple tool to help prevent, detect and escape a fire. Removing that worry can make a big difference when there so much to juggle. If someone meets the criteria for a home visit, our crews can provide lifesaving advice and equipment to Londoners in person.
“We want to ensure young dementia carers feel safe and are prepared before an emergency happens. Checking smoke alarms are in working order and making an emergency escape plan are important steps that make all the difference in the event of an emergency."
“We want to ensure young dementia carers feel safe and are prepared before an emergency happens. Checking smoke alarms are in working order and making an emergency escape plan are important steps, that make all the difference should an emergency happen. With all the other tasks, it’s understandable fire safety might fall to the bottom of the ‘to do’ list when caring for a loved one.”
Seeing Dementia Differently’s founder, Cici Willoughby, unexpectedly found herself caring for her Dad, Neil, when he was diagnosed with early onset dementia at the age of 54. She said: “This partnership is about providing that reassurance to young carers that they can access resources. It provides support as they navigate their own lives with the extra pressure of caring for someone too. Caring duties can be lonely, making sure there are working smoke alarms can help you take a breath and help remove some of the worry. Watching our fire safety films will help carers know their home is as fire safe as it can be – that can really make the day to day a little easier.”
In south east London, Plumstead Green Watch are working with the Kent-based charity Alzheimers Dementia Support Services. Station Officer Danny Pugh spearheaded work on a fire safety film for those affected by dementia, following a dementia diagnosis for both his grandparents. He said: “The film is aimed at people living with dementia, and anyone who is supporting them. We cover the top causes of fire in the home and it’s filmed in a home-setting to highlight the fire risks. The areas we highlight include cooking, electrical faults, smoking, domestic appliance faults (in washing machines, tumble dryers, fridge and freezers), candles, faulty or misused electrical equipment and overloading plug sockets. All of these can be a hazard to someone living with dementia.
“Anyone supporting those with dementia should keep an eye out for previous fires or near misses, such as, burns or scorch marks from cigarettes, heaters or cooking. If you find any electrical issues, get them checked by a qualified electrician.
“Importantly, working smoke alarms give the earliest possible warning. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure that there are adequate smoke alarms throughout the home. Regularly test them to make sure they are in good working order.”
Brigade top tips for those living with dementia and their carers
- Ensure smoke alarms are installed in every room where a fire could potentially start.
- For smokers, avoid smoking in bed or on armchairs, particularly when there is a risk of falling asleep.
- The kitchen is a common area for fire hazards - especially the risk of leaving cooking unattended. Think about tools and technologies, such as timers, that automatically switch off hobs to help prevent accidents.
- Candles present fire risks if left unattended, the Brigade recommends using flameless LED candles as a safer alternative.