A council is helping local babies sleep safe and sound in their beds in partnership with the fire service and health bosses. Knowing that the under-fives are at the greatest risk from death in fires apart from the elderly Cannock Chase Council is helping fun the New Baby Smoke Detector Scheme.
Working with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Cannock Chase Primary Care Trust, the council will operate the scheme in Cannock, Rugeley and Hednesford.
After the birth of a new baby a health visitor will make the usual home visit and ask each new mother if a smoke detector is fitted, and working, in the home.
If not, a referral can be made to the fire service who will purchase a smoke detector with a 10-year tamper-proof battery and then fit it in the baby's home.
Every year almost 50 children die in house fires and hundreds more are admitted to hospital.
Fatality rates for house fires where there is no working smoke alarm are twice as high as those house fires with a smoke alarm.
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