Older people in Hertfordshire learn to stay fire safe

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue has set up a 'one stop advice shop' for older people in the community.

The Service recently held their first information day focusing on teaching older people in the county a wide range of important safety skills at the Charis Centre in Bishop's Stortford with sessions from Age UK, trading standards, British Red Cross and the Keep Warm Stay Well campaign.

Neighbourhood police sergeant Dave Cooke described the day as: “a one stop advice shop to enable our older communities to get advice and information about many of the issues that affect them and help them stay safe.”

The event, on 31 January, proved to be very successful with around 100 residents attending slots were allocated for different groups to give discussions on a wide range of topics including crime prevention, electrical safety and how to use mobile phones and the internet.

Councillor Richard Thake, Hertfordshire County Council's cabinet member responsible for community safety, said: "The success of this event demonstrates the value of bringing different organisations together to give information, advice and support to help older people stay safe and play a full part in their local community."

Supporters of the event, the East Herts Community Safety Partnership are planning another information day in April 2014.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue are also working alongside HertsHelp, an information service who are currently offering free heated over blankets for those struggling to keep warm at home this winter. For more information
visit www.hertsdirect.org/your-community/ihertshelp/