Raising standards of fire
safety in community
settings
Colin Angel, Policy Director
United Kingdom Homecare
Association




Member-led professional association
Represent 33% of UK’s independent and
voluntary sector homecare agencies
Promote high quality, sustainable care services so
that people can continue to live at home and in
their local community
Campaigning, leadership and support
@ukhca
@colintwangel
What do we know?



30% (36 people in 3 years) accidental fire deaths
were people in receipt of homecare
Many of the triggers and warning signs of these
fatalities are shared by many people who use
homecare
Homecare is not the cause of these fatalities,
but could play a role in reducing them
@ukhca
@colintwangel
The key players in fire
safety in homecare
Registered manager
Ensure the organisation
addresses fire safety
Training manger
Ensure staff understand their
role in promoting fire safety
Assessors
Undertake risk assessment of
care & home; devise care plan
to address risks
Coordinators
Brief workers on care plan
and risk assessment; Respond
to risks reported by workers
Fire service
Safety visits; advice; supply
of equipment
Careworkers
Act as “eyes and ears”;
Identify risks and report
@ukhca
@colintwangel
Risk factors to consider
during assessments

Aged 60 years or above
 Increased risk amongst over 75s

People who live alone

People who smoke in the home

People with one or more of:
 Reduced mobility and/or hearing loss
 Dementia or memory loss
 Mental health needs or learning disability
 Sedating medication; Alcohol or drug dependency
 Hoarding and/or disordered home environment
@ukhca
@colintwangel
Assessing the individual
and their circumstances


Does user smoke?
Are there signs of burns on carpets, furniture,
bedding or clothing?

Discarded cigarettes on floor?

Lighters or matches within reach of children?

Use of sedating medication?

Alcohol/substance misuse?

Previous history of fires? Domestic abuse?

Other risk factors (see previous slide)
@ukhca
@colintwangel
How will the person cope in
the event of a fire?

Will they hear a smoke alarm?

Will they wake up if an alarm sounds?

Will they understand what to do and
be able to react in the event of a fire / alarm?

Will they be able to call the fire service?

Will they be able to escape from the home?
@ukhca
@colintwangel
Assessing the home
environment



Are there smoke alarms? Do they work?
Do users with hearing loss have vibrating pads
etc?
Are smoke alarms linked to any
telecare/community alarm system already in
place?

Evidence of hoarding?

Overloaded electrical sockets?

Electrical/gas appliances in poor state of repair?

Other unmitigated fire-safety hazards?
@ukhca
@colintwangel
Possible products and
services

Increasing safety


Smoke alarm
Flame-retardant bedding, furniture
throws and nightwear
Safety equipment:
 Safety ashtrays; cooker guards

Smoke alarm linked to community alarm
& 24-hour monitoring centre

Portable or fitted domestic sprinkler system

24-hour (live-in) homecare
@ukhca
@colintwangel
Acting on Risk Assessments

Conducting a risk assessment is a starting-point

Risks need to be mitigated

Get specialist advice from fire service

Put actions in place and document in care plan

Ensure workers understand care plans

Careworkers must raise concerns and changes in
circumstances with their coordinator for action
@ukhca
@colintwangel
Final thoughts


Local fire service offers specialist advice which
will support managers and assessors keep people
safe from injury and death from avoidable fires
Adequate fire risk assessment will enable more
people to remain at home safely
@ukhca
@colintwangel
How to contact me
Website:
www.ukhca.co.uk
E-mail:
colin.angel@ukhca.co.uk
Twitter:
@colintwangel
Telephone:
020 8661 8152
@ukhca
@colintwangel