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A vulnerable St John’s resident living with dementia has avoided a serious house fire thanks to the assistance from their Careline alarm.
In the early hours of the morning, an electrical fault caused a kettle to boil dry and begin to melt, despite being turned off at the socket. Luckily, the resident’s Careline system was connected to their fire alarm and the 24-hour telecare staff were then able to send the fire service to their property. The fire service stated that it was only a matter of time before a housefire started.
The resident, who suffers from dementia and poor mobility, was found to be sleeping safely in a nearby room. If it were not for the linked fire alarm, the consequences could have been fatal.
Careline is a personal alarm service that supports borough residents to live independently. It consists of an alarm button that can be worn discreetly around the neck or wrist, and links to a digital alarm unit installed in the home. The digital alarm system can support a range of other sensors, including fire, heat and motion, which alert staff at a telecare centre if there is a problem.
On this occasion, the resident’s family were grateful to the Careline system and would not want to be without it.
Speaking about the incident, Cllr Ellen Nicholson, Woking Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Living Well, said: “I am extremely relieved that a serious incident was avoided thanks to the Careline personal alarm and senor system.
“Careline allows residents to live independently and safely at home for longer and provides reassurance to vulnerable residents and peace of mind to families that help is available at the touch of a button.
“We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our community, and I would encourage local family members and carers to explore the services we provide to support your loved ones to live well and stay safe.”
Take advantage of free six-week trial
If you or someone you know could benefit from the Careline service, which costs as little as £7.17 a week, contact us to arrange a free no obligation six-week trial by calling 01483 743 668 or email careline@woking.gov.uk
Find out more about staying independent at home in Woking