Odd Gram puts down the walker and picks up the crutch. He has to reset the smoke detector hanging from the ceiling, but he can’t reach it himself. – I use this trick straight as it is. It starts to howl here from time to time, he says. He stretches his body as far up as he can. The end of the crutch just reaches the button on the smoke alarm. Odd is 78 years old, lives alone and uses a walker or wheelchair to get around. Because he is weak in his bones, he is particularly vulnerable if a fire were to start at his home. Most vulnerable people die in fires 21 of the 23 who have died in fires in Oslo in the last five years are part of the groups that are extra vulnerable. Hammer is afraid that more people may die in fires in the future due to the wave of elderly people. Photo: Gunn Evy Auestad / news These are often the elderly, drug addicts, people with mental disorders, cognitive impairment and not least if you have physical challenges. What makes them vulnerable is that they often have problems avoiding fire, reacting to fire and getting themselves out. – What is common among those who die in fires is that the vast majority belong to a vulnerable group, and that they live in their private homes, says Hege Hammer, head of the fire prevention department in Oslo. – I feel safe at home Odd takes fire safety seriously. He says that he has several exits in the house, several smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. – I have a fire extinguisher with foam. Then there is less to clean up if I have to use it. Photo: Rolf Petter Olaisen – I feel safe at home, and trust that I will get help when I need it. Odd goes into the kitchen. He has timers on the coffee maker and a kettle that turns itself off automatically. But the stove alarm, it has ended up in the drawer. – I used to have the stove guard up, but it went off as soon as I fried eggs and bacon, so I put it in a drawer, he says, laughing. Odd feels safe, thanks to the measures taken at home. Photo: Rolf Petter Olaisen The Fire and Rescue Service aims for everyone to feel like Odd. Safe at home. The fire service wants us to become more concerned with fire safety at home. Because the wave of the elderly is coming soon. – We must live at home, we must have care at home and then it is important that we continue to work to increase fire safety at an individual level. But they have a long way to go. – Unfortunately, it is not the case that everyone lives safely at home today, emphasizes Hammer. How far does the municipality’s responsibility extend? To achieve this, the fire service collaborates with other types of municipal services. And especially the home service. Odd is visited by the home service every day. – They haven’t done anything with fire safety here, but I haven’t needed it either, says Odd. Hammer wonders how far the municipality’s responsibility goes. After all, not everyone wants their help. They must respect that, because they cannot force themselves to do so. – If you have an old grandmother or an old aunt, then also worry about their fire safety. Although the fire service is there to help, it is important to look after those who need a little extra help. A good example Odd picks up his kettle. The one that turns off automatically. – It’s so nice, because it switches off when I lift it up. It has saved me too many dry-boiled pots, he says happily. All of the fire equipment Odd has in the house he has arranged himself. He is a good example for those who are particularly vulnerable, the fire service believes. And by the way: 1 December is smoke detector day, but half a million Norwegians lack smoke detectors. Then it is a good idea to check whether you have all fire equipment in order. Are you going to check your smoke detector today? Yes, it is 1 December and smoke detector day. I will check both mine and other people’s smoke detectors (such as grandparents or parents). No, I forget that every year. I check it when it howls because the battery is empty. Show result Gaute Gaarder from the fire service visited . He is satisfied with the measures Odd is taking. Photo: Rolf Petter Olaisen
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Almost everyone who dies in a fire in Oslo belongs to a vulnerable group – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
