Concerned fire chiefs are calling on the public’s support as they relaunch a lifesaving campaign to protect Tyne and Wear’s most vulnerable.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service’s (TWFRS) Lifesaver campaign is aimed at encouraging the public to reach out and help save someone’s life.

A simple telephone call, email or social media message could be the deciding factor that helps to change a friend or family member’s life forever.

As part of national Safeguarding Adults Week this week, the service are encouraging members of the public to contact them if they know someone who could be more vulnerable to fire.

That could be because an individual has mobility issues, smoke in bed, are frail, pregnant or may have lots of clutter around their home.

We all have a role in safeguarding, but many across our region will not know the important role TWFRS can play in preventing fires as well as extinguishing them.

Area Manager Paul Russell, head of Community Safety for TWFRS, said “We can provide a number of preventative measures in some people’s homes. If you tell us someone you know is bed-bound and they smoke in bed, we can put measures in place.

“We can provide fire-retardant blankets, we can ensure smoke alarms are working, we can make sure our Fire Control know the occupant of that address is immobile and normally stays in a particular room in the house.

“These are all things that can make a difference but we will only know about them if the public tell us. It could be a relative, friend or a neighbour. If you think someone could be at greater risk in a fire then we need to know.

“We are working closely with partners in health and social care to get more referrals from partners but everyone can be a lifesaver if they pick up the phone and give us a call.”

TWFRS have been working with local authorities, housing providers, and NHS Trusts around the region to ensure that they are aware of the work that the fire service can support.

Staff at TWFRS can put measures in place to make people’s homes safer, whether that is installing smoke alarms or providing fire retardant blankets.

If you know someone who is vulnerable and more at risk of suffering an injury in a fire then please give us a call on 0800 0327777 or you can fill in the enquiry form on our website by visiting www.twfire.gov.uk/safety-advice.

Using the same contact methods above you can also get fire safety advice for yourself and your own property.

National Safeguarding Adults Week 2023 runs from Monday 20th to Friday 24th November and the theme in 2023 is ‘safeguarding yourself and others’.