Home safety checks available for residents

An officer will carry out an assessment and identify any potential hazards likely to cause an accident, such as non-grip mats, trailing leaders and over-loaded adapters.

The service is part of the Southern Safer Homes Project which has been serving councils across the Southern Group area - Banbridge, Craigavon, Armagh, Dungannon and Newry - since February, 2008.

The project targets those considered most at risk of having an accident in their own home, particularly vulnerable adults and children, those aged over 65 and homes inhabited by children under the age of five.

Southern Safer Homes recently hosted a successful seminar when representatives from voluntary, community and statutory agencies came together to discuss the provision of home safety across the Southern area.

The seminar focussed on reviewing what the project had achieved to date, highlighting work undertaken on a Northern Ireland basis.

Discussion groups were set the task of considering potential gaps which exist in the provision of home safety across the Southern area and feedback was invited on suggested ways to improve the situation.

A Home Safety officer will advise on hazards in the kitchen, especially around the cooker area, on the storage of harmful cleaning agents and the importance of working smoke alarms.

In certain circumstances, free safety equipment is provided and when appropriate the officer can make onward referrals to other agencies, including Occupational Therapy, Community Safety, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Northern Ireland Fire Service.

Anyone who would like futher information or advice should contact the Environmental Health Department of Banbridge District Council on 028 406 60600.