More than 10,000 fire retardant bedding packs, night dresses, sofa throws, ashtrays and other fire prevention kits are being funded by the London Fire Brigade for the capital’s most vulnerable residents.
Figures from the LFB show that last year, two thirds of those who died in accidental fires lived alone and over a third had mental health issues. One in three accidental fatal fires were caused by smoking.
To combat this, more than £2million in fire prevention grants have been awarded from the Brigade’s Community Safety Investment Fund, set up to help protect individuals and communities across London that most need it.
The Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety, Dan Daly said: “Our crews know their local community well and this fund has allowed Borough Commanders to apply for bespoke fire prevention projects to help those most at risk in their communities.
Just a few of the grants that have been approved include:
- £193,000 for three sprinkler systems to be installed in housing blocks and 150 sets of bedding in Southwark
- £30,000 for water misting systems. Smoke detectors and 180 sets of fire retardant bedding, nightwear and sofa throws in Camden. Sprinkler systems work in a similar way to traditional sprinkler systems but spray a fine water mist and are placed where people are most likely to fall asleep like above a bed or a settee
- £28,000 for 400 arson proof letterboxes, 100 sets of fire retardant bedding and 50 sets of pyjamas in Bexley
- £10,000 for telecare smoke alarms with provision for upgraded services to existing systems (to include inter-linked fire detection; smoke, fire and carbon dioxide detection) in Waltham Forest.
- £9,700 for 45 sets of bedding, 75 sofa throws, 75 sets of nightwear, 100 carpet sprays and 130 ashtrays in Hackney.
caption: Bromley’s Borough Commander Terry Gooding with resident Mr Knowles and fire retardant bedding.
