Safety advice for professionals and carers

A high percentage of injuries and fire deaths are from fires caused by smoking. Indicators of risk to fire associated with smoking include:

• Burns on carpets, furniture, bedding and clothing
• evidence of smoking in bed
• carelessly discarded cigarettes or matches
• overflowing ashtrays
• lighters or matches within the reach of children.

Information on smoking safety can be found on our smoking safety advice page.

A person with a physical impairment or limited mobility is not necessarily at greater risk of fire. However, if a fire should occur, they may be slow or unable to vacate the property in a safe and timely manner.

Reduced manual dexterity may increase the likelihood of a fire, particularly from smoking or other household activities.

For individuals who are bed dependent or bariatric, in the event of a fire, escape will not be an option. The biggest risk to these individuals is smoking.

May increase the likelihood of a fire, particularly from smoking, or other household activities, such as cooking because its effects inhibit the ability to make safe decisions. It also affects the ability to recognise and respond appropriately in case of a fire.

Prescription medication can increase the risk of a fire starting particularly if the individual is a smoker. It can inhibit the ability to vacate the property in a safe and timely manner. This is because it is either designed to, or has side effects, that relax or create calmness, and help people to sleep.

Mild mental illness with minimal medical intervention does not necessarily increase the risk of fire. More serious diagnosed conditions may lead to stronger medication, and more propensity to consume alcohol, non-prescription drugs and smoking.

In some more serious conditions symptoms can include fire setting behaviours.

Dementia is a progressive brain disease that means a person’s ability to make rational cognitive decisions will become more challenging the further along the journey they are. Some of the specific risks and vulnerabilities to fire that the condition creates are:

• Leaving cooking unattended or putting things on cookers or in microwaves that shouldn’t be there
• understanding the sound of the smoke detector in the event of a fire and taking appropriate action
• not recognising the property they live in, can inhibit their ability to exit in a safe and timely manner, in the event of a fire.

Hoards generally increase fire loading within a property.

The hoard can block exit routes which would reduce the ability to exit in a safe and timely manner, in the event of a fire. It can also affect firefighters' ability to tackle the fire because it makes the fire more intense and makes it more difficult to make a rescue.

The content of the hoard may include hazardous or highly inflammable materials and the hoard may be located close to ignition sources such as gas fires or cookers.

West Midlands Fire Service is aware of a number of injuries and fire deaths relating to inappropriate use of portable heaters and/or poor regard for being in close proximity to an open fire, (gas, electric or solid fuel). More information on open fire safety can be found on our chimneys and open fires safety advice page.

The risk factors are similar to those who live with dementia:

• The disability may inhibit their ability to make safe decisions
• they may not remember or retain safety information which could affect their ability to respond to fire and exit in a safe and timely manner
• due to their vulnerability, they may be inappropriately befriended by individuals who undertake risky activities such as taking drugs, smoking and fire setting in their homes.

A persons hearing impairment does not in isolation make them more at risk of fire. Should there be a fire without the correct type of smoke detection they are more likely to die or be injured.

Smoke detection should include flashing strobes and vibrating pillow pads.

Where the individual resides in sheltered type accommodation consideration should be given to how the alarm system links to the individual’s smoke detector.

Visual impairment in isolation does not make an individual more at risk of fire. With appropriate adaptations, everyday household tasks can be carried out safely. For a person with visual impairment, because they cannot see smoke, a working smoke detector and escape plans are particularly important as is the need for clear escape routes.

Our Safe and Well visit request form allows you to specify if a person has an impairment that may mean they need specialist fire or smoke detection and alarm equipment and if so, we can fit this equipment free of charge. 

The biggest risk of fire comes from damaged or overloaded electrical sockets.

Risk is also associated with combustibles such as clothing or newspapers/magazines being placed over or too close to electrical equipment and sockets.

Faulty electric blankets are also a common cause of fire, as is the use of electrical chargers and appliances which do not comply with British/European safety standards.

Always use the correct charger for the equipment/appliance.

Dynamic-flow pressure relieving mattresses (and overlays placed on top of standard mattresses) are provided for the prevention and treatment of pressure
ulcers to people who spend extended periods of time in bed.

The mattresses/ overlays are filled with air via a pump. These systems use dynamic controlled air pressure cells to constantly adjust the mattress/overlay in response to the person’s needs.

If the mattress is punctured and loses air, the pump reacts by increasing the flow of air produced, fuelling a fire. The mattress pump also contains a battery back- up so if the electricity supply fails, the pump continues to discharge compressed air.

Emollient creams are applied to the skin to treat conditions such as eczema / psoriasis. Their use is common for people who spend extended periods of time in bed due to illness or impaired mobility.

Many emollient creams are paraffin-based and the use of such creams can result in bedding, dressings and clothing becoming impregnated with paraffin.

These items can easily ignite when bought into contact with naked flames i.e. smoking, candles, gas fires and cookers

Older people and those with severely reduced mobility are at greater risk due to the flammability of incontinence care products.

Oxygen is highly explosive when exposed to naked flame or dirt and grease. Medical oxygen use is often associated with smoking-related lung diseases and users often continue to smoke.

The oxygen-rich atmosphere stays within clothing and furnishings creating an increased risk of rapid-fire spread which is a particular risk for smokers.

The presence of medical oxygen cylinders poses a risk to firefighters and the user in the event of a fire because the heat from the fire may cause the cylinders to explode.

We strongly recommend those who have medical oxygen in their property receive a Safe and Well visit as soon as possible.

Analysis of accidental house fires shows that people who live alone are more at risk from fire.

This is likely to be because one or more of the risk and vulnerability factors above are present.

Smoke detectors do not prevent a fire from occurring. But they provide the earliest possible warning, in the event of a fire, to give the best possible
chance of exiting the property safely.

Fire and rescue services recommend that all homes have a working smoke detector on each level of the property. More information on smoke detectors is available on our smoke alarms safety advice page