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Rochdale News | News Headlines | Deaf couple saved from dangerous gas leak - Rochdale Online
A deaf couple from Rochdale were alerted to a dangerous gas leak during in a visit from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Community Safety Manager Mick Cryer smelt gas in Susan and Alan Brown’s kitchen, when he was carrying out a Home Safety Check at their home.
The couple are both profoundly deaf so Mr Cryer had taken Community Safety Advisor Wendy Hall with him, who is studying sign language at Stockport College. Ms Hall used sign language and finger spelling to alert the couple.
Crew Manager Cryer said: "Susan had shut their Yorkshire terrier Penny in the kitchen while we fitted the smoke alarm. When we had finished the Home Safety Check and I opened the kitchen door, I could smell the gas.
"Susan and Alan hadn't smelt it, but I could. It sometimes takes a new nose, and I know you don't always smell it yourself, but my keen nose could."
Ms Hall added: "I was able to finger spell to Susan and Alan telling them that we thought they should contact the gas board and not turn lights on or cook. The next day, Susan texted Mick explaining that he was right and there had been a gas leak."
Mrs Brown, who went deaf after suffering from pneumonia when she was just three months old, used her text phone to contact British Gas who found a hole in the gas pipe which was fixed.
Mr Brown, who can lip read and went deaf at the age of three, said: "We are so lucky. I smoke a pipe and if I had lit my pipe or if we were cooking, there might have been an explosion."
Explaining using a text phone, Mrs Brown wrote: "We are happy. Fire alarm OK and the gas leak now fixed. Thankfully we are safe. I'm so pleased Wendy could sign to us."
Crew Manager Cryer said: "There was snow on the ground and during a cold snap, gas pipes can freeze and fracture. I've been with GMFRS for 29 years and it only takes a heating timer clock to kick in, a lit cigarette or gas cooker and the consequences can be catastrophic.
"With Wendy's help we were able to tell Susan and Alan that some of their sockets were overloaded. The deaf alarm will be their first defence from fire too."
Explaining how deaf alarms work, Ms Hall said: "They look like all smoke alarms but they work by wi-fi. Sensors alert deaf people to fire using strobe lighting. Flat sensors can be left under a pillow at night and if they detect smoke, they vibrate."
If you have a hearing difficulty you can get a smoke alarm which uses a strobe light and vibrating pads. Alternatively consider linking the alarm system, which can alert you of any danger.
In the event of a fire, if it is difficult for you to call 999 yourself, ask a neighbour to do it for you.
If you have specialist equipment, such as a text phone or minicom, you can contact the emergency services on 18000.
A deaf couple from Rochdale were alerted to a dangerous gas leak during in a visit from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Community Safety Manager Mick Cryer smelt gas in Susan and Alan Brown’s kitchen, when he was carrying out a Home Safety Check at their home.
The couple are both profoundly deaf so Mr Cryer had taken Community Safety Advisor Wendy Hall with him, who is studying sign language at Stockport College. Ms Hall used sign language and finger spelling to alert the couple.
Crew Manager Cryer said: "Susan had shut their Yorkshire terrier Penny in the kitchen while we fitted the smoke alarm. When we had finished the Home Safety Check and I opened the kitchen door, I could smell the gas.
"Susan and Alan hadn't smelt it, but I could. It sometimes takes a new nose, and I know you don't always smell it yourself, but my keen nose could."
Ms Hall added: "I was able to finger spell to Susan and Alan telling them that we thought they should contact the gas board and not turn lights on or cook. The next day, Susan texted Mick explaining that he was right and there had been a gas leak."
Mrs Brown, who went deaf after suffering from pneumonia when she was just three months old, used her text phone to contact British Gas who found a hole in the gas pipe which was fixed.
Mr Brown, who can lip read and went deaf at the age of three, said: "We are so lucky. I smoke a pipe and if I had lit my pipe or if we were cooking, there might have been an explosion."
Explaining using a text phone, Mrs Brown wrote: "We are happy. Fire alarm OK and the gas leak now fixed. Thankfully we are safe. I'm so pleased Wendy could sign to us."
Crew Manager Cryer said: "There was snow on the ground and during a cold snap, gas pipes can freeze and fracture. I've been with GMFRS for 29 years and it only takes a heating timer clock to kick in, a lit cigarette or gas cooker and the consequences can be catastrophic.
"With Wendy's help we were able to tell Susan and Alan that some of their sockets were overloaded. The deaf alarm will be their first defence from fire too."
Explaining how deaf alarms work, Ms Hall said: "They look like all smoke alarms but they work by wi-fi. Sensors alert deaf people to fire using strobe lighting. Flat sensors can be left under a pillow at night and if they detect smoke, they vibrate."
If you have a hearing difficulty you can get a smoke alarm which uses a strobe light and vibrating pads. Alternatively consider linking the alarm system, which can alert you of any danger.
In the event of a fire, if it is difficult for you to call 999 yourself, ask a neighbour to do it for you.
If you have specialist equipment, such as a text phone or minicom, you can contact the emergency services on 18000.