Health care equipment and products used in the home allow people to be cared for in familiar surroundings. It's important that this equipment is used as prescribed and provided by a medical professional as these items can ease discomfort and improve quality of life.
However it's also important to be aware that in the event of a fire they may increase the spread and intensity of the fire. On this page, we talk about how to reduce fire risk when using/caring for someone who uses:
There is a separate page for emollient and skin creams – and there is specialist advice to support you if you care for a person who is a smoker, or someone who is a hoarder.
If you care for someone who needs specialist healthcare equipment, or use this type of equipment yourself, make sure that you always follow the manufacturer's safety advice. Let's take a look at different kinds of equipment in a little more detail...
Used by people with severe respiratory conditions, oxygen therapy provides air that contains more oxygen than normal. Specialist equipment (which can include cylinders and portable units) is used to pipe medical oxygen through either a nasal cannula or face mask to the patient.
Unfortunately though, the addition of concentrated oxygen into the room or surrounding environment will greatly increase the intensity of a fire should one start.
Smoking or the use of any naked flames (such as candles, fires and cooking) anywhere near oxygen is extremely dangerous and increases the risk of significant injury in the event of a fire.
These items are used for the prevention and treatment of pressure sores and ulcers that can be caused by extended periods of immobility. The mattress is filled with air by a pump which adjusts pressure according to the patient’s needs.
When punctured by any heat source (e.g. a cigarette or match) the escaping air can cause a fire to spread rapidly. The emergency back up battery may also continue to pump air, which can cause the fire to burn longer and with greater intensity.
These are often supplied in large quantities to people who have continence problems. They contain plastics and other chemicals, in addition to paper or textile padding which provide additional fuel to a developing fire.
We can provide more specialist advice based on the person you care for's home and individual needs during a home fire safety visit. These free sessions are an opportunity to talk to you and the person you care for about how to prevent fires, the importance of smoke alarms to detect a fire and escape plans in the event of a fire.
Visits can be arranged at any time (24/7), and we even fit free smoke alarms if the person you care for needs them. Specialist alarms can also be fitted – for example, strobe light and vibrating pad alarms for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
We have a simple tool that can guide you around the home helping you spot fire risks, or we can carry out a visit ourselves.
Carers, support workers and other health care professionals have access on a daily basis to people’s homes and living spaces. They play a vital role in the assessment of high risk individuals.
If the person you care for is bed bound or spends most of their time in a chair, they are particularly at risk. Please consider their needs and make sure appropriate measures are taken so they can safely escape if there is a fire. Learn more about escape plans from homes, and escape from workplaces (like residential care homes).