Smoke alarms alert deaf to fires

The smoke alarm either vibrates or has a flashing light

Specially adapted smoke alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing are being fitted free by the Kent fire service.

Instead of an audible warning, the alarms show there is a fire by either vibrating pads or flashing lights.

To coincide with Deaf Awareness Week, head of community safety, Stuart Skilton, said it was important that everyone had a working smoke alarm.

Joyce Grant, who now has a specially adapted alarm fitted at her Smarden home, said it provided "peace of mind".

"I wear a hearing aid during the day but when I remove it at night to sleep, I wouldn't hear an ordinary smoke alarm sounding.

"The special flashing light unit by my bed will definitely wake me up in the event of a fire," she said.