JAMESBLOGALOT: February 2009

So today I had a visit from our local fire fighters to look over our home, ask lots of questions about fire safety and it’s a been real eye opener I can tell you that.

I’m very safe when it comes to fire, always have been ever since the house a few doors from me burnt to the ground and all the family was killed (kids as well). As I stood there helpless that night, I was from that moment on, forever conscious of how easy fire can spread and kill.

So I take fire prevention very serious, and try to do as much sensible things as I can think of, so a fire does not break out and destroy our lives.

No overloading of sockets, close as many doors at night as you can, turn off the power to things you don’t need. You know? All the common sense things.

One thing I had not thought of though was my fire escape, sure it’s a simple enough thing you might ask? Yea, and for most it’s a no brainer, but the problem lies if you’re disabled or have disabled living in your house. What then? Has everything been done to make sure they can get out safe and sound? Do you have a fire plan AND a backup plan should that fail. Does everybody in your family know the plan so you don’t all try different things?

I can only go with my situation, but here it is. -

My dad has his own extension to the house (he is paralyzed and blind in his left eye), it has a fire door that can’t be closed fully at night because he is claustrophobic. He has no way to get out of bed without help and I sleep upstairs. If there’s a fire through the day and he is in his wheelchair, he still can’t get out because the ramp is via the kitchen (where fire is most likely to start in the first place) and at this moment in time we’re fighting the local council to get a ramp at the other door, they won’t allow it, and it’s been an ongoing battle, not just for quality of life for my dad but also for fire safety.

If a fire breaks out through the night, because his fire door will be open, the smoke has a good chance of getting to him (I keep a big long piece of wood beside him so he can close the door, but it’s not ideal)

If I can’t get to him (fire on the stairs) I would have to make my way out the upstairs window onto his extension roof, smash his window and try that way.

At this moment in time I pretty much can’t leave my dad on his own for a long period of time, even if he is in his wheelchair, simply because he CAN’T get outside by himself because of a stupid council rule. It’s crazy, and it’s highlighted all the more by the visit today from the fire depot.

There’s not a lot they could do about it either, although they have given a lot of leads to who can help and have made a few phone calls to push for a ramp to be added that could save his life and add some more quality to it.

So thanks to the firemen who really took the time to listen and help as much as they can. I repay the favour by posting up the phone number for them and encourage anybody who has no clue about what’s safe and what’s not when it comes to fire, to phone the number/visit the site and if you don’t live in that area (and as it’s the web, this country even), please contact your local fire department and see if they offer a similar service.

By just picking up simple tips, you could not only save your own life, but save the life of your family.

The Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service web site http://www.lbfire.org.uk

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