Fire Safety Working With People who are Vulnerable and at Risk to Fire Acknowledgements:- Peter Allington Clive Robinson FRIT Dave Haggins

Session Objectives To be able to:- Understand who is at risk and vulnerable to accidental fires in the home Identify behavioural, health and lifestyle risks Identify physical environmental risks Understand how and why these risks increase vulnerability. Make a referral to West Midlands Fire Service for service users that are at risk and vulnerable to accidental fires in the home Understand the interventions, level of service and benefits the Fire Service provides to service users and professionals working with them

Understanding Vulnerability A vulnerable person is: “ Anyone at a greater than normal risk of fire”. This includes:- individuals that are more likely to have a fire, or more likely to be seriously injured or killed as a result of a fire within their property. individuals who pose a risk to those around them, This can be shared accommodation or even high rise buildings. The key to success is identify and work with partners who are already working with and trusted by vulnerable people.

Who is at Risk and Vulnerable from Fire?

Lifestyle, behavioural and Health related Risks Mental Health issues Chaotic Lifestyle Learning Difficulties/Dementia Mobility/Physical Impairment Sensory loss (hearing, sight) Prescribed drugs Substance misuse (Drugs & Alcohol) Smoking Signs of previous fires (eg cigarette burns) Live alone Uses medical Oxygen

Heaters and fires Electric blanket used Plugs, sockets & electric cables Television left on standby Chip pan or fat pan used Spare medical oxygen cylinders are present Missing doors Use of candles Physical Environmental Fire Risks

Facts & Figures The cost of a fire death is estimated at £1.65m The average cost of a serious injury from fire is £185,000 Since 1997 accidental fire deaths have decreased by 49% (UK) Recent fire deaths (75%) have had a history of mental ill health (WMFS) Number of accidental fires in the home have decreased by 27% since 1997 (UK)

Serious Incident Review Facts & Figures 38 Serious Incident Review = 40 fatal & serious injury (9 Coventry) GenderAge Female 35%(14)Over 5078%(31) Male 65%(26)Over 6548%(19) Over 8028%(11) Suspected Cause Smoking 40.0% (16) Electrical 17.5% ( 7) Cooking 12.5% ( 5) Too close to Combustibles 15.0% ( 6) Other 7.5% ( 3) Self Immolation 5% ( 2) Homeless/Arson 2.5% ( 1) Known Dementia Diagnosis 15% (6) suspect this is higher In receipt of Care Package 35% (14)

How to Refer Person to Contact if Different from Above (Use BLOCK CAPITALS) Name……………………………………………………….Telephone Number……………………………… Relationship to Occupier………………..…………………………………………………………………..……………….. TRACS Reference Number: 752 Home Safety Check Referral Please complete ALL shaded areas plus any other relevant sections Person making Referral (Use BLOCK CAPITALS) Name………………………………………………………Organisation The Recovery Partnership Relationship to Occupier…………………………………… Date………………………………..……………………. Work Address………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... ……………………………………………… Post Code……………..……………………………………. Telephone Number…………………………………….... ……………..………………………………………… Customer: Consent given by occupier for HSC to be carried out or done – HSC NO: ………… Name…………………………… Risk Level: High Medium Low Address………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………… …………………………………………………………………………………….……………..……Date………………… ….. Post Code:………………………………………Telephone Number………………………………

Please answer the following questions: Joint Visit Required What is the age group of the vulnerable person (child/adult/elderly)? Are there any other occupiers over the age of 65? Y / N or under 18 ?Y / N Are there any occupiers who smoke in the property?Y / N Are there any working smoke detectors in the property?Y / N Are there any occupiers who may have difficulty responding to an emergency e.g due to mobility / visual / hearing impairment? (complete comment box)Y / N Has the occupier had a fire before?Y / N Occupier is in receipt of one or more benefits? Y / N …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Following to be asked by Health Professionals / Carers Only: Is there evidence of previous fires, including cigarette burns?Y / N Are there any occupiers who have learning difficulties?Y / N Are there any occupiers who have mental health problems?Y / N Do any of the occupiers receive palliative care?Y / N Are there any occupiers with substance misuse problems, including alcohol?Y / N Is there evidence of disorganized living, excessive or dangerous storage?Y / N Comments (Language / Disabilities / Password / Other Risk Factors / Reason for Joint Visit etc) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Please Return Via to: or Fax to

Referral Based upon the referral information WMFS Contact centre will decide on the level of response required: 1.Minimal Risk 2.Vulnerable 3.Extremely Vulnerable It is anticipated that those referred by your team will fall into 2 & 3

1.Minimal risk = an information pack and signposting to information 2. Vulnerable = Home Safety Check. On duty crew will attend to carry out this check (one off visit) 3. Extremely vulnerable = Vulnerable Persons Officer (VPO) who will carry out a Home Safety Check engaging professionals and carers. Longer term multiple visits/interventions as appropriate. Levels of Service

Home Safety Check is designed to :- Reduce the risk of fire in the home. Reduce the risk of death/injury from accidental fires in the home This is achieved through:- Giving of fire safety advice Fitting of fire safety equipment including smoke alarms where necessary Making referrals to partner organisations Home Safety Checks (HSC)

VPO Role: Provide appropriate and effective interventions to improve safety for those identified as extremely vulnerable Provide additional specialist equipment Engage with partners, carers and professionals who have a shared responsibility for the safety of vulnerable people Develop referral systems with our partner agencies.

Risk and Vulnerability – The Reality!

Chaotic Lifestyle

Cooking

Electrical A mother of three, left the plug in air freshener device plugged into a kitchen socket while the family visited friends. The £4 freshener overheated and set fire to a pile of clothes before the blaze spread to other parts of the kitchen.

E Cigarettes Safer than cigarettes – still pose fire safety hazard Should be charged in accordance with manufacturers guidelines Charger should be unplugged whilst not in use Have caused at least one fatal accidental fire

Candles

Assessing Risk What risk and vulnerability to fire is present? To whom does it present a risk? –To the service user –Those around them (incl adjoining properties) –To those looking after them –Emergency Services Have I recorded my observations and completed a referral form? Is there anything I can do here and now to mitigate the risk? Is it significant enough to ring the referral through to the Contact Centre?