FIREFIGHTERS in Hampshire will visit older people to give fire safety advice during a new campaign.
The visits by personnel from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service will take place in the week leading up to Tuesday, October 1, which has been designated Older People’s Day 2013.
Free electric blanket testing will take place on that day at Basingstoke fire station, in West Ham Close, and other fire stations in Hampshire will hold open days for older people throughout October.
Area manager Mick Crennell said: “Almost half of all fire deaths in the UK involve people over the age of 60 and by the time someone reaches 80 they are 10 times more likely to die in a fire than someone under 30.
“With this in mind and especially during times of industrial action, we would ask the public to take extra care and check the smoke detectors of any older persons in your family and/or neighbours.”
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