Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service joins forces with Aster Group to promote home safety

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) has joined forces with local housing association Aster Group to offer free Home Safety Visits in the homes of its Connected Living customers across Somerset and Devon.

During the visit the fire service will test customers’ smoke alarms, discuss their escape plan in the event of a fire and provide advice about home fire safety to customers of Connected Living, a service available from housing association Aster Group.

Technology enabled care provider Connected Living helps people to continue to live confidently at home with its range of technology, including emergency call pendants and fall detectors. Many Connected Living customers rely on their fall alarms or pendants to get help in an emergency and use a variety of equipment aids to stay independent.

Sarah House, Community Safety Champion at DSFRS, said: “The damage caused by a fire can have devastating consequences and many incidents we attend can be easily prevented.

“We are therefore delighted to have partnered with Aster Group to deliver free home safety visits to their customers.

“The Home Safety Technician will help identify and assess any risks in the home, ensure the property has working smoke alarms, discuss an escape plan in the event of a fire and provide advice around safer behaviours, as well as conduct assessments for specialist equipment to help reduce risks and ultimately keep occupants safer in their homes.”

Kerry Appleton, operations and contract lead at Aster Group, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with DSFRS to enable us to continue to deliver quality services to our customers. This partnership allows us to further demonstrate how, by working together, we can enable people to live safe and independent at home for as long as possible.”

DSFRS’ vision is to make Devon and Somerset a safer place to live, work and visit. Connected Living allows customers to live safely and independently at home for as long as they wish.

To find out more about Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, please visit: www.dsfire.gov.uk or call 0800 0502 999.

To find out more information about Connected Living, please call 0333 400 8299 and quote DSFRS or visit the website: www.aster.co.uk/connected-living. Connected Living is accredited and audited to a high standard by the Telecare Services Association.