Vulnerable households invited to apply for smoke alarms

HUNDREDS of Clare households have benefited under the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme since it was launched in 2010, according to the Clare County Development Board.
The scheme is designed to provide 10-year battery operated smoke alarms to vulnerable homes in the county that do not currently have them. The aim of this initiative is to make Clare householders more aware of fire safety routines and potential fire hazards.
In fact, since 2010, a total of 657 domestic smoke alarms have been provided to Clare households at a cost of €17,726 and among the properties to benefit were the four Respond housing estates in the county, Beechgrove in Newmarket, Rineanna View in Shannon and both Orchard Grove and Stone Court in Ennis.
Mayor of Clare, Councillor Pat Hayes has emphasised the importance of ensuring that older people and those living alone have smoke detection alarms. “This scheme provides local communities with an opportunity to look after those within their own community,” he said.
Maureen Rynne, resident support worker with Respond, said they were delighted to be in a position to take responsibility for distributing the smoke alarms to the households. “This could not have happened without the support and assistance of Angus O’Looney who helped those who needed help installing the smoke alarms,” she added.
The Clare County Development Board is again inviting applications and is also asking voluntary groups and others who visit people in vulnerable households to identify homes without smoke alarms. Clare County Fire and Rescue Service will provide training for community groups on how to correctly install and advise homeowners on the maintenance of the alarms. Members of the fire service will also oversee the installation of the alarms.
Applications are also being invited from individual households who are in a position to install the alarms themselves. Forms are available by contacting the Community and Tourism Development Department, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis, County Clare, at 065 6846511 or by emailing dceoff@clarecoco.ie.