Disability increases fire fatality risk

CFA MEMBERS have spoken at the Langwarrin Disability Expo to highlight the risks that people living with disabilities face during fire emergencies.

More than 60 percent of people who died in house fires between 2003 and 2017 had a disability, the CFA estimates. At the Langwarrin Disability Expo on 26 October, firefighters visited to inform attendees about the risks of fires and how to avoid them.

Langwarrin CFA community safety coordinator Jason Walker said “the main topic of conversation was home fire safety, particularly smoke alarms and home fire escape.” “People with a disability need to consider if they can hear and respond to a smoke alarm and whether they can escape their home within three minutes,” he said.

Langwarrin CFA member Donna said the initiative was “worthwhile because it was an opportunity to speak to people who may need extra support with fire safety.” “My son is deaf so he can’t hear a standard smoke alarm. He needs a specialised smoke alarm. I know how important it is to spread the message out to the community,” she said.

First published in the Frankston Times – 12 November 2024