Fire safety for people with sight difficulties

If you, a family member, or someone you care for is blind or has sight difficulties - here’s some practical fire safety advice to consider.

We will also come to visit you in your home to talk to you about specific things you can do to keep safe and in many cases, we will provide free specialist equipment.

Book a home safety visit

For advice about staying safe in your home and to arrange a home safety visit contact us (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).

Tips to stay safe

  • Put a coloured sticker on your smoke alarm to help you see it to test it.
  • Consider fitting bump-ons (also known as plastic blisters) to appliances as a way of making sure they are switched off properly.
  • Consider getting a qualified electrician to check your electrical appliances and leads for wear and tear once a year.
  • If any electrical appliances are giving off a burning smell, turn them off and unplug them immediately.
  • You may also want to consider placing a tactile indicator along your escape route to make it easier to find the exit.

If you live in rented accommodation see our safety advice for tenants.

Plan an escape route

  • Think about all possible escape routes in case there is a fire.
  • It is a good idea to practise an escape so that you feel confident you could do it with different levels of light such as at night.
  • Keep a phone in the bedroom in case you need to make an emergency call. If it’s a mobile, keep it charged.
  • Make sure all exits and escape routes are kept clear taking into consideration any mobility aids that you use.
  • Keep keys where you can find them in case you need them in a hurry, preferably near to your door.
  • The best route is the normal way in and out of your home.
  • Make sure you know how your house or personal alarm works, including any passwords or codes.
  • If you have a key safe outside your property or an access code to the property, it is a good idea to tell the emergency services when calling us in an emergency.

What to do if there is a fire

  • Don’t tackle the fire yourself.
  • If you can, get out, stay out and call 999.
  • If you can’t dial 999 yourself, get a neighbour to do it for you.
  • If you can’t get out, go into a room that has a window and a phone and shut the door.
  • Put blankets or towels around the bottom of the door to block out the smoke, then open the window and call ‘Help Fire’.
  • Keep a whistle handy if it’s hard to shout.

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