A locking cooker valve
Colleagues at SGN have reached the significant milestone of providing 1,000 people living with dementia and autism with free safety devices designed to keep them gas safe in their own home.
The locking cooker valve (LCV) was first launched in 2015 and helps our customers in vulnerable circumstances to remain independent in their own homes.
The LCV is a simple safety device fitted to existing gas cooker pipework. When the valve is locked, it stops the gas supply to the cooker and eliminates the risk of the cooker being unintentionally turned on or left on.
It’s available free of charge to people living with dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and autism. The carer or relative can easily turn the valve on using the key when the cooker is required, enabling the household to continue to use their gas cooker safely.
For our 1,000th installation we received a request to fit an LCV through our partner East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. They had recently visited a property and following a conversation with our customer, Mrs P, they learned her son was autistic and had an interest in lighting fires. There was growing concern for the safety of her home and family. Mrs P agreed with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service to make a referral which made its way to SGN.
Sarah Mason, Safeguarding Co-ordinator & Senior Community Safety Administrator for East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, said: “We mainly refer for people who have dementia or memory issues, although it is also beneficial to occupiers who are elderly, have special needs or children who like to play with cookers/fire. Whenever we have signposted social workers, family members, support workers and also occupiers themselves to SGN for a LCV, they have always shown a positive response and said that it is a good idea, especially as it’s free of charge.”
In under three weeks the request was handed over to the safe hands of Daniel Wells, an SGN gas emergency engineer in our Southern Operations East area.
Daniel has fitted a number of LCVs, mainly for customers living with dementia who sometimes forget to turn their gas off. He said: “I spend a lot of time speaking to sons and daughters whose parents live with dementia, and who worry about safety when they leave their parents alone. I feel proud that I can provide relief for families and carers who now know those they care for are that much safer.
“Mrs P had six children and most were young. I could understand her worry so I took the time to show her the LCV and I explained how it worked and what it does. Together we found the best place to install it so it was easily accessible. She was so grateful for the help and now had one less thing to worry about, and I’m happy to have been able to provide her peace of mind.”
To find out more about our free locking cooking valve and to make a referral for someone you know, visit sgn.co.uk/LCV