News Release

Issued: 19.06.2009

At: 3.50pm

For immediate release

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service Support National Falls Awareness Day

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) are putting their support into National Falls Awareness Day 2009. The day, taking place on 23 June 2009, is a Help the Aged initiative and the intention of the day is to raise awareness of and to the severity of falls to older people.

Around 167 people across the country over the age of 65 die every year in fires. Reduced mobility, poor sense of smell and a lower tolerance to smoke and burns can contribute to these injuries and fatalities.

Paul Speight, Community Safety Manager, says:

“National Falls Day brings an unfortunate but important issue to the forefront of our minds. Falls can cause serious injury to people of all ages, but especially in the older generations in our communities.

LFRS recommend that rooms, hallways, and especially stairs are kept clear of wires and clutter. This is so that people can easily make their way to safety safely and as fast as possible in case of emergency such as fire.

Precautions should be taken to make sure that routes to safety are always kept clear as this can make a serious difference between safety and an unnecessary incident.

If you have a fitted and maintained smoke alarm then you will be alerted to any smoke or fire you have in your house. This should give an older person enough time to safely get out of the property and call 999. we suggest installing a mains-operated smoke alarm or one with a ten year battery.”

- ENDS -

Notes to News Desk

Interview Requests

Paul Speight, Community Safety Manager, is available for interview upon request. Please contact Corporate Communications on the number below to organise.

Contact Information

For more information please contact:

Corporate Communications
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service
Tel 0116 287 2241