Home safety

Falls

Falling is a common problem but it’s not an inevitable part of ageing.

• Steady On Your Feet is a campaign led by the NHS and local authorities to help increase confidence and reduce the risk of falls. Our advice, guidance and resources are designed for anyone worried about feeling unsteady on their feet. They aim to equip people with simple tips to stay active, independent and safe during everyday activities.
• NHS Choices has information about simple steps to prevent falls and exercises you can do at home to help reduce the risk of falls.
• Age UK also has detailed falls prevention advice.

The Independent Living Centre

You can also contact The Independent Living Centre which offers a free and impartial assessment and information service to anyone looking for equipment to help them to live independently. Qualified NHS occupational therapists can:

• assess your needs
• help you find the best equipment
• show you how the equipment works and help you to try it out
• explain how you can get equipment to keep you independent
• direct you to other services that might help you

Scams and financial abuse

Every year people lose billions of pounds to scammers and con artists using postal, telephone and online scams. Vulnerable adults can also be the victims of financial abuse where money is taken by relatives, friends or carers without their knowledge or permission.

If you are concerned that you, a family member or someone you care for is being scammed or abused there is help available.

• Devon Trading Standards has information about current scams operating in Devon and what to do if you think someone has, or is trying to, scam you
• Citizens Advice – Scams
• Age UK – Scams and fraud

Easy read – Let’s talk about scams

Personal alarms and alerts

Personal alarms and alerts give you the reassurance that round-the-clock support is only the click of a button away in your own home. A care alarm is an alarm that you wear that gives you instant access to help. Alert services are available to remind you to take medication and to attend appointments. These services can provide real peace of mind for you, your friends and relatives.

Personal alarms are provided by many different organisations detailed here in a search on PinPoint. This service will help you to remain safe, secure and independent in your own home, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can use the alarm to get instant access to help from the service’s call-monitoring centre.

Some providers have additional functionality to monitor certain situations and automatically raise an alarm, including:

• smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• natural gas detectors
• extreme temperature sensors
• flood detectors
• panic alarms (referral from Devon Domestic Abuse Coordination Team)
• fall detectors
• epilepsy sensors
• medication dispensers

Contact the Independent Living Centre on 01392 380181 for advice about the types of alarms available and the best solution to meet your needs. Or click here.

Key safes

A key safe is a strong metal box to store a key to the door of your home. It’s installed on an outside wall usually near the front door, but out of sight of passers-by. Most safes have a set of numbered buttons that can be used to enter a code to open the box. You can share this code with anyone you want to allow into your home, like a carer or shopping service.

There are lots of designs of key safes. The police recommend you buy a safe that is Secured by Design (which displays a logo).

For many years, Devon and Cornwall Police has provided a benefit to businesses and individual residents by recording details of their keyholders.

The keyholder information database and service has been successfully running for over 10 years and is staffed by personnel dedicated to inputting and maintaining the confidentiality of your details. In the event of a member of staff not being available to deal immediately with your email we will process it at the earliest opportunity and email you back with your reference number.

Join the scheme

To join the scheme email the required information to keyholderservice@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk

Gas and fire safety

• If you smell gas, or your carbon monoxide detector is alerting you, immediately phone the gas emergency number on 0800 111999
• Get a carbon monoxide detector which will change colour, flash or sound an alarm if it detects carbon monoxide. You should have one in every room that has a gas appliance
• If you have a gas boiler, the pilot light should be alight all the time. If it has gone out and you can’t relight it yourself call out a Gas Safe registered engineer
• Have your gas appliances safety checked every year by a Gas Safe registered engineer

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has information on staying fire safe at home. They have produced an online self-assessment you can use to check that your home is safe, and an easy read fire safety booklet.

Crime prevention

Most burglaries are crimes of opportunity and can be prevented by keeping your home secure.

• Age UK has clear information on simple ways to make sure your doors and windows are secured
• Devon and Cornwall Police has detailed information on reducing the risks to your home and possessions and improving your security