HOARDING in homes has been identified as a “significant safety concern” by firefighters in the Stewartry.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service covering this part of the region reported a decrease of 71 percent in the number of accidental fires between April 1 and September 30 last year.
However, work is still ongoing to help protect elderly people and those with mental health issues through home fire safety visits.
A fire service performance report, due to be tabled at Stewartry area committee next Wednesday, highlights this preventative work and the dangers of hoarding.
The report states: “We have concentrated our efforts on those who can be deemed high risk – either due to age related characteristics or lifestyle.
“Hoarding is recognised as a significant safety concern for both the occupier and responders, and protocols have been devised with our local adult social care and mental health providers.
“We have been working closely with our partners to raise awareness of unseen dangers through Signpost to Safety education sessions for care and NHS/Police Scotland staff who are dealing with members of the public within their homes.”
Station Commander Chris Ross will attend Stewartry area committee next week to present the six-month fire service performance update.
Councillors will then be able to ask for further details around incidents.
The report stated that the accidental fires recorded resulted in no or very little damage.
It continues: “It is noted that 100 percent of dwellings had automatic detection fitted, and in all of the incidents, the residents were alerted when the alarms activated.
“This is very encouraging and having this early warning detection has done its job – resulting in minimal injuries and the limited damage.
“On all occasions the occupiers are offered a free home fire safety visit as part of our post-incident domestic response procedure.”
Meanwhile, deliberate firesetting in the Stewartry has also seen a decrease of 57 percent between April 1 and September 30 last year compared with the same period the previous year.
Partnership working continues with Police Scotland, and Dumfries and Galloway Council’s youth services and education departments to combat the deliberate firesetting issue.
