Fire-Safe Home for People with Hearing Impairment

Project Background

The number of people with hearing impairments is increasing due to demographic change. In Finland, there are already approximately 800,000 people with some degree of hearing loss, and this development increases the risk of fires in homes. In our society, the needs of people with hearing impairments are not yet sufficiently recognised; for example, in acute emergencies, official information does not always reach them. This project addresses these challenges by producing knowledge and solutions that improve everyday safety.

Project Objectives

People with hearing impairments and their families

• Receive up-to-date and practical information
• Have better recognise specific fire safety risks related to living at home
• Gain solutions to reduce fire safety risks
• Can use the information for independent preparedness and accident prevention

Rescue services, health and social care, and safety sector professionals, as well as students in these fields

• Receive up-to-date and practical information
• Better recognise specific fire safety risks related to hearing impairment in home settings and independent preparedness
• Can better target guidance and services
• Can utilise the information in accident prevention, education, and communication

Non-governmental organisations

• Receive up-to-date and practical information
• Better recognise specific fire safety risks related to hearing impairment in home settings and independent preparedness
• Can better target guidance and services
• Can utilise the information in training and communication

Project Activities

The target groups of the project include people with hearing impairments, professionals in the rescue, health, social care, and safety sectors, students in these fields, and organisations. The project implements a range of activities to identify risks, develop solutions, and produce accessible safety information in collaboration with the target groups.

• Mapping fire safety risks related to hearing impairment through interviews and surveys
• Collecting experiences of everyday hazardous situations and preparedness
• Co-developing solutions and materials with users
• Designing clear instructions for fire prevention and emergency situations
• Piloting materials with target groups
• Publishing accessible safety materials across different channels
• Sharing information with authorities, professionals, students, and families