Can you hear your smoke alarm?

Hearing difficulties? We’ve got you covered

Here at Kent Fire and Rescue Service we’re always reminding everyone to make sure they have working smoke alarms, and to test them weekly. But what if you have hearing difficulties and are less able to hear your smoke alarm sounding?

We can provide you with special smoke detectors which flash and vibrate to alert you. A vibrating pad goes under your pillow or bed sheet, and a strobe light flashes very brightly to get your attention.

If you, or someone you know could benefit from having one these smoke alarms, you can call us on 0800 923 7000 and speak to our Safe and Well team. They’ll work with you to find a convenient time when one of our friendly officers can pop round to visit you at home. The service is completely free, and so are the smoke detectors we provide.

Dave and Sheila from Medway recently booked a Safe and Well home visit to find out more about the variety of smoke alarms we offer, including those that flash and vibrate. Click on the image below to see how they got on when our Safe and Well officer, Luke, visited them

What happens during a Safe and Well home visit?

A home safety officer or firefighter will visit your home at a time that’s convenient to you, and they’ll have an ID card which states they work for Kent Fire and Rescue Service. They’ll carry out some simple checks around your home, such as testing smoke alarms and making sure they’re in the best place – and they can install new ones if they’re needed and provide batteries too; all free of charge.

The officer will also identify any potential fire risks such as overloaded sockets, and talk about escape routes – going through what the best options are for you in your home in the event of a fire, and providing advice about how to enhance safety in your home.

The home safety officer is there to help make sure you’re safe, provide advice, and answer any questions you may have. The visit will take around 45 minutes, and by the end you’ll have peace of mind that your home has been given a thumbs up for fire safety.

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