Sprinkler firm steps in to keep Redruth youngster safe from fire
Last updated: 22/02/2013
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A severely disabled boy from Redruth will now be safer in his
home after a local businessman stepped in to fit free sprinklers in
the property.
The nature of 12-year old Mason Blight’s disabilities means he
lives in the ground floor of his home as he is unsafe on the
stairs. As his bedroom is next to the kitchen – the room most
likely in any house for fire to break out – the Blight family were
put in touch with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) for
further advice.
“As Mason is unable to use the stairs safely, we provided a grant
to make adaptations to the home to enable him to live on the ground
floor,” said Lynette Segers, from the Council’s Disabled Children’s
and Therapy Service. “Further fire safety advice was needed to
increase Mason’s safety in the event of a fire and so I referred
the family to Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.”
As a result, fire officers carried out a Home Fire Safety
Check at the property, to ensure smoke detectors were in the
most suitable location and give specific fire safety advice.
“Following our visit to the family, we resolved to do all we could
to help make sure Mason could stay safe,” said Area Manager Kevin
Thomas from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service. “As a sprinkler
system would give the best level of protection, we got in touch
with Stan Barber at Mandara Sprinklers who then very kindly agreed
to provide a sprinkler system free of charge.”
“We have worked with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service for many
years to promote the benefits of sprinkler systems,” said Stan
Barber, owner of Mandara Sprinklers. “A sprinkler system is
designed to save lives. Sprinklers are positioned to activate
quickly and each head is a self contained unit operated purely by
heat. In the event of a fire the heat will activate the nearest
sprinkler head and within minutes the fire is under control. In
most cases fires are extinguished by one sprinkler head.”
“The sprinkler system has given us peace of mind,” said Mason’s dad
Jon. “Mason wouldn’t understand what to do if the fire alarm went
off and so this extra protection is a great relief.”
“We are very grateful to Stan for his very kind donation,” added
Mason’s mum Bev. “He did an excellent job fitting the sprinklers –
they are very discreet and you wouldn’t know they were
there.”
“This is a marvellous example of how sprinklers can be fitted into
a house with minimum disruption,” said Councillor Judith Haycock,
Chairman of Cornwall Council’s Communities Overview and Scrutiny
Committee. “The Scrutiny Committee has been working with Cornwall
Council’s Planning Service to encourage more developers to fit
sprinklers in new properties and correct some of the myths about
sprinkler systems.”
“This is a good example of how the Council’s many teams and
services can work together for the benefit of residents and thanks
must go to all those involved in helping the family,” said
Councillor Lance Kennedy, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for
Community Safety and Public Protection.
“Like many of my colleagues across the fire service community, I am
passionate about raising awareness of the benefits of sprinklers
and the positive impact they can have on saving lives,” said Des
Tidbury, Chief Fire Officer for CFRS. “I would like to thank Stan
for helping to keep Mason and his family safe.”