Fire safety for partially sighted people
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.
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 asking 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.
More resources
- Royal National Institute of Blind People's website (external site opens in new tab). Call 0303 123 9999.
- Sense's website (external site opens in new tab) supports people who are deafblind. Call 0300 330 9250.
- Devon in Sight's website (external site opens in new tab). Call 01392 876 666.
- Somerset in Sight's website (external site opens in new tab). Call 01823 333 818.