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Emergency Heating Campaign mention

Posted by Information Worker on 7 November 2011

Hi, we noticed we got a mention on the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service's news item today. This was regarding their Emergency Heating Campaign:

 

A Liverpool Emergency Heating campaign aimed at saving the lives of vulnerable people over the winter months has been launched today by a partnership of public, private and voluntary organisations.

The project will be targeting the most at risk elderly people who are using hazardous heating or have no heating at all. It will also identify risks of carbon monoxide from dated gas fires and will be providing safety and heating advice and winter warm packs and where necessary, free oil-filled Dimplex radiators. The packs include gloves, scarves, blankets, hats and socks.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service along with its charitable arm Fire Support Network ran a campaign briefing today to more than 50 carers from organisations across Liverpool who will be identifying those most at risk and in need.

Phil Garrigan, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, said: “This project is focused directly at improving the safety, health and well-being of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. This issue was brought to us by Older People’s Occupational Therapist Afroza Ahmed who last year had personally helped elderly patients who were without heating. She approached BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Roger Phillips and together that have been championing the project for this winter.”

Afroza said:” There is a clear gap in the care of elderly vulnerable people in the winter, this is placing them at significant risk as often their basic life needs for warmth and safe air are not met. We want this campaign to reduce their risks from fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and cold related illnesses and death.”

National statistics show that the UK has the highest winter death rates in Europe and Liverpool suffered a total of 222 excess winter deaths in 2009/10.

Many vulnerable people resort to unsafe means of heating such as old electric bar or paraffin heaters which can significantly increase the fire risk. Manufacturer Dimplex has agreed to donate a number of oil-filled radiators free of charge and is providing more radiators at a special price so that the campaign can ensure as many vulnerable people are provided with heaters as possible.

Merseyside Fire Service Chaplain Bill Sanders approached English Churches for donations and was the first to raise £5,000 for the heaters as their gift to the vulnerable. Other organizations who have given their support include: Liverpool Mutual Homes, Riverside Housing Group, Mersey Care NHS Trust, LCC Housing, LCC Electrical Safety, Arena Housing, Toxteth TV, BBC Radio Merseyside, Liveability, Liverpool PCT, Healthy Homes, Gas Safe and Liverpool Advocacy Rights Hub.

Stuart Mackenzie, Managing Director at Dimplex said:

“We’re delighted to support this important initiative, which will directly help save lives in Merseyside. Today’s electric heating has many benefits for older people – it’s clean, safe, reliable and very efficient, with accurate thermostats to help keep running costs down. For added economy its ideal for just keeping the occupied room heated, which benefits the most vulnerable when the temperature drops.”

For more information:-

0800 731 5958 (9am - 9pm)

0151 296 4000 (night 9pm - 9am)

 

For more information visit the Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service website>>

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