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Hearing impairment

Smoke alarms

If you have a hearing difficulty you may be able get a special smoke alarm from Oxfordshire County Council's Hearing Impairment Team.

Safe and Well Visit

Request a safer and wellbeing visitThe Safe and Well Visit is a totally free service offered by Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service.

If you would like us to we will visit you in your home to see what we can do to make you safer. We will have a chat with you around improving your health and wellbeing.

When we visit we will fit free smoke alarms and offer advice to make you and your family safer at home.

Complete our online request form, call our community safety helpline on 08000 325999 or email community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk to request a visit.

Planning an escape route

  • When planning your escape think of all possible escape routes in case there’s a fire. And what you could do if you are unable to escape due to mobility difficulties.
  • It is a good idea to practise an escape so you feel confident you could do it day or night.
  • Keep a phone in your bedroom in case you need to make an emergency call - if it’s a mobile, keep it charged.
  • Make sure exits are kept clear and well lit and keep keys where you can find them in a hurry.

In the event of a fire

  • Don’t tackle the fire yourself. If you can, get out, stay out and call 999.
    • If you can’t dial 999 yourself get a neighbour to do it for you.
  • If you can’t get out stay in a room with a shut door, window and phone, ideally at the front of the house.
    • Put bedding round the bottom of the door to block out the smoke, then open the window and call “Help Fire”. Keep a whistle handy if it’s hard to shout.
  • If you can, close inside doors at night - this will help prevent a fire from spreading.

If you have a specific fire safety question or concern, call our community safety helpline on 08000 325999 or email community.safety@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Oxfordshire County Councils Sensory Impairment Team

Oxfordshire County Councils Sensory Impairment Team can advise and support people of all ages with hearing problems including:

  • Equipment assessment to improve access to TV / doorbell / telephone etc.
  • Advice on deaf issues, for example, equal access to services.
  • Deaf children and their families, for example, support regarding available options and equipment.
  • Deaf parents, for example, access to support services, equipment.
  • Information on all aspects of hearing loss including Deaf / deafened / Hard of Hearing / Dual Sensory Loss/mental health needs relating to hearing loss.

They are a specially trained staff offering advice and support to people of all ages. Staff will make appointments to see you at their office in Abingdon or in your own home.

You can request a visit from the Sensory Impairment Team you via telephone, text, email or fax. You can ask someone else to call us for you such as a relative, friend, GP, specialist, nurse or care manager.

Telephone: 01865 894925
Fax: 01865 783153
Email: hearing.impairment@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Textphone: 030 300 30 55