Check out these helpful tips and links to existing fire safety resources.
Smoke Alarms
Specialised devices sound an alarm at higher decibels and can link to flashing lights and a vibrating pad under your child’s pillow. These devices are expensive and don’t integrate with other smoke alarms. Specialised alarms can be purchased under your child’s NDIS plan. However, eligibility for a device appears to be based on the age of the child, which we believe needs to be changed.
Bedroom Location
It might be worth considering having your child who is d/hh sleep in the bedroom closest to yours so that if they don’t wake to a fire alarm, you can assist them more easily.
Emergency Numbers
Depending on your child’s age, level of hearing and method of communication, there are several ways to contact emergency services. Teach them about Triple Zero or the National Relay Service (NRS). The NRS provide phone or video services for people who are d/hh or don’t use speech. The NRS has recently introduced a registration process, but this does NOT apply to emergency calls. Encourage your older kids to store emergency numbers in their mobile phones.
Download the Real Life Tips infographic.
More information:
- National relay service | Dept. of Infrastructure
- Request a safety visit | Fire & Rescue NSW
- Brigadekids: Auslan-videos | Fire & Rescue NSW
- Disability inclusive disaster risk reduction – framework and toolkit | Collaborating 4 Inclusion
- National Auslan Communications for Emergencies
- Winter fire safety – webinar
