Initiative to enhance home safety for older residents in Mayo
MAYO County Council and Age Friendly Ireland have joined forces to improve the safety and well-being of older residents in the county.
A joint protocol of cooperation was officially signed recently, at the Fire Brigade Headquarters in Castlebar, by John Condon (director of services, Mayo County Council) and Mark Harrington (national manager of Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme, Age Friendly Ireland).
The partnership, which is the first of its kind in Ireland, will see firefighters from the 12 fire stations in Mayo conducting free home fire safety checks for older individuals referred by the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme.
The home fire safety check will involve two firefighters from the local fire brigade unit arranging to meet an older person at their request together with a neighbour/friend or relative in their home.
The meeting involves a chat regarding escape plans, the installation of free smoke alarms at agreed locations within the home and the identification of any potential fire risks within the home to help the older person solve the potential fire hazardous behaviours or physical fire hazards within the home.
Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor John O’Hara, said: “This programme is a welcome initiative that will keep older residents of the county safe and living in their homes.
“Mayo County Fire Service provide an outstanding service to the people of this county and this outreach programme will bring much comfort to older people around Mayo and their families.”
Mark Harrington, national manager of the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme at Age Friendly Ireland, emphasised the importance of this collaboration, saying: “It is great to be involved in this collaborative and innovative project with Mayo County Fire Service, which will help to improve the health and safety of older persons in their homes, and aligns with the Healthy Age Friendly Homes aims of enabling older persons remain in their own homes and communities with a sense of independence for a long as possible.”
Tony Shevlin, chief fire officer with Mayo County Council, highlighted the increased fire risks for older individuals and the crucial role of home fire safety checks. “The risks associated with fires in the home increase as we get older and fire safety checks for older people, therefore, are a vital and integral part in enabling them to stay safe in their own home.
“We are delighted to be involved in this collaborative initiative which will allow us to work in parallel with the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme in protecting the elderly in their home.”
The agencies recently completed joint training for the home fire safety checks, ensuring that firefighters are equipped to provide valuable assistance to older residents.
The success of this initiative in Mayo county could serve as a model for similar partnerships.