We’ve teamed up with Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) that operate within our Scotland network area to help keep everyone safe from the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO).
The focus of our partnerships with Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) operating in Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Fife, and Perth, Kinross and Dundee, is to increase awareness of the dangers of CO, making sure everyone knows the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning, and reducing harm from the poisonous gas.
We’ve provided CO alarms to each SFRS partner to give to customers in their area during Home Fire Safety Visits. Alongside the lifesaving CO alarms, customers will also receive a helpful tips leaflet which provides all the information they need to stay safe from the ‘silent killer’, and what steps to follow if they suspect CO is present in their home. We’ve produced and shared this leaflet in nine additional languages to meet regional community needs.
To book a Home Safety Visit, please click here.
We’re also sharing CO educational materials for young people, so the local SFRS teams can include this in their youth education programmes.
Our Social Impact Programme Lead Dan Edwards said: “One of the major aspects of my role is developing projects and partnerships that raise CO awareness and reduce CO harm. Working alongside our Fire and Rescue Service partners means we can reach even more customers within our network area, to make sure everyone stays safe and well.
“As part of these partnerships, the Fire and Rescue Service now have access to our Careline services, meaning they can refer customers who need extra help and support for free Locking Cooker Valve installation, free energy advice, and Help to Heat gas connections.
“We’ve also linked SFRS with PSR Scotland to refer customers in vulnerable situations to the Priority Services Register (PSR), and we’re looking at other more tailored partnership opportunities to meet specific needs, such as multi-lingual support and targeting hard-to-reach groups.
“Keeping our customers safe and well all year round is our top priority and partnering with vital emergency services to help us spread the word on the dangers of CO will definitely help us to do this.”
Over the coming months we’ll be working to partner with many more of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services, including SFRS Highlands.