Be Safe and Sound During Deaf Awareness Week

BE SAFE & SOUND DURING DEAF AWARENESS WEEK

Date:   01.05.2007

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 (7 - 13 May 2007), North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service is teaming up with RNID - the national charity for deaf and hard of hearing people - 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 struggle to know if the alarm went off during the day.[1]

In the lead up to Deaf Awareness Week this year, Station Manager Carl Boasman, 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 special smoke alarms." 

"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. Contact us on 01609 788545 and we will visit your home to give fire safety advice and fit a smoke alarm that meets your needs."

Conventional smoke alarms work by emitting a loud noise when smoke is detected, providing the vital early warning of fire, and 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 Carl Boasman.

"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, the UK's leading charity for deaf and hard of hearing people, 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 further information on how the Fire and Rescue Service can help, please visit http://www.firekills.gov.uk/ to obtain your local Fire and Rescue Service contact details. For further information about BSI standard smoke alarms for deaf and hard of hearing people, please contact RNID Products on telephone 0870 789 8855, textphone 01733 238020 or visit http://www.rnidshop.com/  

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/

Ends

[1] 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.