West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is re-launching its winter safety campaign, called Cherished.
The campaign, which ran for the first time last year, was prompted by a spike in fire-related deaths involving older people across West Yorkshire.
Fortunately this spike has not continued into this year, however, WYFRS still want the communities of West Yorkshire to join with them in cherishing older people this winter.
Whilst many proudly live independent lives, being older can make you more vulnerable to certain fire risks.
Each year firefighters have attended over 200 accidental fires in homes of older people, this equates to around a fifth of all accidental fires in the home each year. The top causes of accidental fires in older people’s homes are – cooking, smoking and electrical. Smoking related fires are by far the biggest killer of older people in the home. Around three quarters of older people who have had a fire in the home lived alone and over the last five years more than half of the fatalities following accidental dwelling fires involved older people.
Area Manager for Fire Safety Chris Kirby said: “The Cherished Campaign is all about giving support to those who need it most, especially at this time of year."
“Many people over the age of 65 are very active and healthy. However, as more people are getting to this time of their lives, many will benefit from some simple support and so we are encouraging you to speak with or visit elderly relatives, friends and neighbours who may need your help at this time of the year.”
Plans for new Leeds Kirkgate Market attraction move forward
Big Doggie Do set to return to Milton Keynes
Bradford Council appoints David Watson as new culture and events director
Drug Arrests After Police Raid in Allerton
Appeal after serious collision on Vicar Lane in Leeds
Leeds 400 challenge launched to get city moving
Accrington drug dealer jailed for 10 years
Culture at the Heart of Stockport’s Transformation
South Asian Art Exhibition Opens at Cartwright Hall
Men’s Mental Fitness Programme Launches in Blackburn
Council Calls for Tougher Fly-Tipping Sentences
Remix Saturdays
Legal Show
Bhangra Nights
The Golden Era