We’re Ken and Cathy, your local Village Agents for Northney and Hayling Island, we volunteer for Age Concern Hampshire and can help to keep older people independent and active by providing information and helping to access local services. Staying safe at home is one of the top concerns for older people in Hampshire and there are many ways Village Agents can help people to stay safe.
We have recently undergone training with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and can now offer FREE Home Fire Safety visits.
Research shows that if you are over the age of 60 you are at a higher risk of dying in a fire in your home. If you are aged 65 and over, you are twice as likely to die in a fire compared to the average for all ages. This risk increases with certain lifestyle factors or if you have a disability or mobility issue.
We can help to not only give fire prevention advice, but also to point you in the right direction to other services operating locally that you may find helpful, for example, transport options, help with shopping, befriending groups and social clubs, and much more.
Please give us a call if you’d like to arrange a Home Fire Safety Visit, or to find out how else we can help you. You can reach us on 07851 770716 or, if we are unavailable, you can call Age Concern Hampshire on free phone 0800 328 7154.
Cooking fires
Fires from cooking appliances have consistently resulted in around half all accidental fires in the home in England. The 2013/14 statistics report that such fires resulted in 24 fatalities and over half of all non - fatal casuaities (2,803 of 5,436 )
Cooking Fire Safety Measures
- Having sufficient detection equipment and escape plans is of high importance
- Avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone . Keep matches and saucepan handles out of their reach.
- Make sure saucepan handles don`t stick out - so they don`t get knocked off the stove.
- Take care if you`re wearing loose clothing - this can easily catch fire.
- Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob.
- Double check the cooker is off when cooking is finished.
- Take care if you leave the kitchen whilst cooking, take pans off the heat or turn them down to avoid risk.
- Take care with electrics
- Keep electric ( leads and appliances ) away from water.
- Check toasters are clean and placed away from curtains and kitchen rolls.
- Keep the oven , hob and grill clean and in good working order. A build up of fat and grease can ignite a fire.
Deep fat frying
- Take care when cooking with hot oil - it sets alight easily.
- Make sure food is dry before putting it in hot oil so it doesn`t splash.
- If oil starts to smoke - it`s too hot. Turn off the heat and leave to cool
- Use a thermostat controlled electric deep fat fryer. They can`t overheat.
- What to do if a pan catches fire :
- Don`t take any risks. turn off the heat if it is safe to do so. Never throw water over it.
- Don`t tackle the fire yourself - GET OUT, STAY OUT, CALL 999