Fire safety checks for the vulnerable

The health service is working with Humberside Fire and Rescue Service to identify people deemed to be most at risk of fires in their homes. They who are then visited by fire officers who carry out safety checks.

The latest beneficiary of the initiative was a man aged 80 in Hull who had a sprinkler system fitted. He was considered to be at risk because of his age and that he lives alone, smokes, and has shown early signs of dementia.

Assistant chief fire officer Daryl Oprey said: “Currently very few domestic sprinkler systems are installed in the Humberside area.

“However we need to increase the scale of these installations and the service is committed to doing so. We will continue to work in partnership with other organisations to identify and install these life saving systems where they are needed the most. This installation is a perfect example of two organisations working together to increase the safety of vulnerable people.”

All UK brigades have been urged to promote sprinkler systems by the Chief Fire Officers’ Association.