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Home fire risk campaign for older people E LDERLY people, and their relatives, carers and friends are being targeted in a bid to boost fire safety this winter.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has launched its Older Person Campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of domestic blazes in pensioners’ homes. The campaign is a priority because in just over a year there have been five fire deaths and 16 injuries involving elderly people in Staffordshire. Hard-hitting posters and leaflets have been produced to coincide with the awareness raising initiative. They highlight the importance of fire safety and booking a free Home Fire Risk Check. The posters have been circulated to places commonly visited by elderly people, including libraries, care associations, health and social
care centres and other organisations. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Risk Reduction Manager Dave Steele said: “We’ll be running our campaign until March, as the majority of our fatal fires occur during these winter months. “We all know elderly people whether they be grandparents, parents, neighbours or friends – we have a responsibility to ensure these people are safe from fire. “We’re asking people to think how they would feel if an elderly person they knew died in a fire, or had their home and life-long possessions lost in a house fire, knowing it could have been prevented if they’d received a free Home Fire Risk Check.” To request a check call, freephone 0800 0241 999. ■ For more details about fire safety log onto: www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk or www.direct.gov.uk/firekills
Mascot Welephant has a trunk full of fun CHILDREN can enjoy a trunk full of fun and learn important fire safety lessons at the same time thanks to a very friendly elephant mascot. The Welephant Club is run by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and aimed at youngsters aged from four to eight. New members receive a Welephant joining pack, which includes a
personalised certificate and special joining gift. Youngsters also receive regular newsletters containing information on how families can stay safe, fun activities, colouring-in pages and competitions. The club, which is free to join, is part of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s cradle to old age approach to fire safety and
links in with other important messages, such as road safety. To find out more about joining the Welephant Club log onto www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk/ welephantclub.asp ● Pictured above at the new Sandyford Fire Station is Welephant with Firefighters Craig McGlyn, left and Robert Windsor.
Hand cleaning technique Diarr hoe
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This should take around 40 - 60 seconds
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h s a Wyour of s ever s F u d r n i haorov N Stop getting all
of these and more by simply washing your hands
Wet hands with water
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Rub back of each hand with the palm of other hand with fingers interlaced
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Rub each thumb clasped in opposite hand using rotational movement
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Rinse hands with water until all soap has gone remember to turn off the water
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Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces
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Rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced
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Rub hands palm to palm
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Rub with backs of finger to opposing palms with fingers interlocked
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8
Rub tips of fingers in opposite palm in a circular motion
Rub each wrist with opposite hand
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Dry thoroughly with a clean paper towel, clean towel or hand dryer.
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Your hands are now clean