VIDEO: Bid to cut death toll of elderly in house fires

OLDER people in the county are more likely to die in house fires, according to new figures which have prompted the fire service to launch a new campaign.
Fire community support officers Andy Hall (left) and John Tinsley (right) carry out home safety checks.Fire community support officers Andy Hall (left) and John Tinsley (right) carry out home safety checks.
Fire community support officers Andy Hall (left) and John Tinsley (right) carry out home safety checks.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (SYFR) is calling on friends, relatives and neighbours to reach out and help isolated, older people near to them.

Figures show more than half of the county’s recent fire deaths involved people over the age of 60.

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Since 2009, 42 people died in accidental house fires in South Yorkshire. 

Of these, 22 (53 per cent) were aged 60 or over.

Of the last ten fatalities, six involved residents aged 60 or over and two involved people in their 50s. 

Several of the victims were living alone and only half had a working smoke alarm installed.

Steve Helps, SYFR head of prevention and protection, said isolated, older people were significantly more likely to die in house fires. 

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Mr Heaps said: “But we also know that some older people can be hard to reach by traditional methods of engaging them around fire safety. 

“That’s why we are calling on relatives, friends and neighbours to help us, help them by looking out for some common fire hazards, helping them test their smoke alarms and referring them to us if they need further support." 

The below video launched as part of the campaign offers tips to help keep older people safe in their home.

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The fire service will also be visiting homes of people aged over 65 to provide safety advice and install smoke alarms.

For more information visit www.syfire.gov.uk