During Deaf Awareness Week (4 – 10 May 2009), South Wales Fire and Rescue Service would like 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.

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?

Head of Community Safety Martin Henderson, 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 specialist 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 your local fire station and we will visit your home to give fire safety advice and fit a free smoke alarm that meets your needs.”

The procedure at South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is that people can be referred for/request a Specialist alarm in a number of ways:

• Complete an online request form
• By self referral via the 0800 169 1234 number or any other means e.g. by requesting a visit at an event such as an open day.
• When crews carry out a standard Home Fire Safety Check, the firefighters who attend can identify that the occupant requires a specialist alarm and the Community Safety team will go and fit them.
• By referral from care agencies (Help the Aged, RNID, other care agencies etc).
• South Wales Fire and Rescue Service has a team of non-operational staff who specialise in fitting deaf smoke alarm systems.
• The alarms consist of two smoke alarms, a bed/pillow shaker and a strobe light.
• We provide these alarms for free in the same way as we provide other smoke alarms for free during the Home Fire Safety Check.

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

"A person with hearing impairment needs 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 Martin Henderson.

“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.”

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.