Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and SGN will be coming together with fire crews to highlight the extra help available for their customers.
Every hour of every day, a house fire breaks out somewhere in Scotland. To combat this, Scottish Fire and Rescue teams will be making home fire safety visits in Moray and Aberdeenshire, helping people to spot possible fire hazards and organise potentially life-saving escape plans. They will also provide advice and guidance and fit smoke alarms free of charge if needed.
While visiting they will bring awareness to SSEN’s Priority Services Register – a scheme put in place to provide additional assistance to the elderly, the disabled or those in a vulnerable situation, including dedicated 24-hour support and priority power cut updates.
When appropriate, the teams will also recommend SGN’s locking cooker valve – a safety device to help keep vulnerable people gas safe in their homes. This works by attaching a valve directly to the gas supply that can then be turned off and locked when necessary by carers or family members.
Shona Horn, customer relationship manager for SSEN’s North Caledonia region, said: “This invaluable relationship with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service helps us identify people who may benefit from free support from our teams, ensuring those who need extra help during a power cut are provided details of our free Priority Services Register.
“Partnering with SGN and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service means we can all work together to help keep our customers and communities safe in Moray and Aberdeenshire.”
Graeme Laird, station manager for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Aberdeenshire and Moray, added: “Home fire safety visits are a cornerstone of our prevention efforts and have contributed to a marked decrease in fire incidents during the past decade.
He continued: “We are here to help everyone stay safe within the home, but we are particularly keen to support the most vulnerable and elderly within our communities. That is why we appeal to everyone to check if their elderly relatives, friends or neighbours are in need of this vital support, and to contact us directly.”
In March, SSEN announced another campaign for vulnerable customers, focusing on those struggling in fuel poverty.