FIRE chiefs are urging people in Tenbury and the Teme Valley with hearing problems to make sure they have suitable fire alarms.

More than 900,000 people in the UK are severely or profoundly deaf and would be unable to hear an ordinary smoke alarm at night.

The fire service is reminding residents across the two counties to make sure they fit and test the right smoke alarms for those who suffer from hearing loss in their homes.

A whole range of alarms have been designed specifically for the hard of hearing, with features ranging from strobe lighting and vibrating alarms to small wearable radio linked pagers.

These specialist alarms can save lives, alerting people to a fire in their home even if they remove their hearing aids at night.

"It is vital that people who are deaf or hard of hearing ensure they have the right smoke alarm technology in their home to protect them and that they test them regularly, to make sure they work,” said Station Commander Stuart Crebbin from the community risk department.

"Many people with hearing loss could be at serious risk if they don't have the right alarm in place. A specialist alarm system provides valuable time to escape from a house blaze. Without it, lives could be lost.

"Home fire safety checks offer people the opportunity to get invaluable advice about planning escape routes, positioning smoke alarms as well as other vital safety advice.”