Isolated elderly people have been given advice by firefighters about fire safety at home.

Richmond Fire Station gave this advice at a Contact the Elderly social event earlier this month. With the UK currently experiencing a heatwave, the firefighters’ advice was quite timely.

Contact the Elderly is a national charity working to end social isolation and loneliness amongst older people. The charity has been working in Richmond since 1960s. They recently partnered with firefighters from Richmond Fire Station to help engage with older people and inform them about fire safety.

This was the first visit in this new partnership and the firefighters will continue attending events over the coming months.

With the UK experiencing a heatwave, the risk of fire is greater than usual. Isolated older people living alone are amongst the most vulnerable. Research by the Shropshire Fire Service revealed that 40 percent of all fires in the country between 2017-18 were in homes occupied by older people living alone. Over 60s are also ten times more likely to die in a fire compared to someone aged 17-24.

Judith Waldie, host of the event said: “I was so impressed by the way the firefighters talked to our older guests. They were never patronising, and passed on some advice which could genuinely save lives.”

One of the firefighters at the event told the older guests: “I am not here to tell you what to do, you all have much more life experience and wisdom than any of us. But what I would like to tell you about is what we can do for you, and what you can do yourselves, to keep you safe.”

Jane Vasudevan, a Contact the Elderly Support Officer who organised the partnership between Contact the Elderly and Richmond Fire Service, said: “Because we work with thousands of the most isolated older people across the country, we thought it made perfect sense to link up with the fire service, and let them use our network to access some of the people who are most vulnerable to fire.

If you’re interested in getting involved with Contact the Elderly, either as a volunteer or as an older guest, visit www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk, or Freephone 0800 716 543.