Safety advice was handed out to people with dementia, their families and carers by firefighters.

Crews from Thames-side in Northfleet, Dartford and Swanley fire stations dropped in on a number of care centres and groups as part of Dementia Awareness Week

There were visits to the memory cafe at Dartford’s Orchards Shopping Centre and Age UK’s Fleming Resource Centre in Gravesend. Crews in Thames-side and Swanley also welcomed Alzheimer and Dementia Support Services to their stations, while Dartford firefighters visited vulnerable residents in the borough.

The sessions were organised to highlight fire safety in the home and part of Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s ongoing commitment to improve the safety of those living with dementia.

Firefighter Michael Edwards, who organised the events, said: “Many people with dementia want to live independently at home for as long as they can, so it’s important to ensure they are as safe as possible.

“Having dementia can make accidents at home more likely but there are ways we can help minimise the risk of fire in the home.

“We can arrange a free home safety visit and provide practical advice about how to make your home safer, such as fitting smoke alarms and helping you plan escape routes.

“We can also arrange to have other specialist equipment such as cooker shut-offs fitted, which can increase cooking safety for those with dementia who may forget they have left food cooking on the hob. It will detect unusual activity and help prevent a hob fire if it detects a risk.

“Dementia can be scary but knowing there is support and help available can provide reassurance to those living with dementia.”

“Dementia can be scary but knowing there is support and help available can provide reassurance to those living with dementia.” Michael Edwards.

Dementia Awareness Week is organised by the Alzheimer’s Society, a UK charity which provides support and research for those affected by dementia.

Angela Farrell from Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Services said of their visit to Thames-side fire station in Coldharbour Road: “The safety and well-being of our clients is our primary concern.

“We have had two previous visits to the fire station for different clients and it is interesting to see how the services have progressed and expanded with all KFRS offers for home safety.”