Smoking & related issues – safeguarding advice for all

• buzz – information about the new health and well-being service for people and communities in Manchester can be found on the buzz website at buzzmanchester.co.uk/
• Stop Smoking Manchester – information and resources can be found on their website at www.stopsmokingmanchester.co.uk/
• Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust – information about smoking and mental health, and support for quitting can be found on their website at www.gmmh.nhs.uk/smokefree
• NHS Smokefree – has lots of resources and links to a range of support on its website at www.nhs.uk/smokefree
  • the NHS Smoking Helpline offers specialist support over the phone  – speak to an adviser on 0300 123 1044
• Quitbecause – offers information specifically aimed at young smokers on their website at www.quitbecause.org.uk/

Illegal tobacco is known to be a major cause of children taking up smoking. It also undermines the attempts of adults to give up smoking.

People who supply illegal tobacco – which often leads to children getting hooked on smoking – are being targeted through a new campaign.

The Keep It Out campaign which was launched in May 2019 and aims to raise awareness of the harm done to under-18’s and the wider community by the dealers and suppliers who provide cheap cigarettes.

• Find out more on the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership website at www.gmhsc.org.uk/illegal-tobacco-campaign

The campaign against illicit tobacco is relevant to any community or health setting, housing office etc  – agencies know that illicit/fake/counterfeit tobacco is sold widely in small shops and peoples homes, pubs and clubs. We want to help people to understand that the issue affects children and is not just about cheap cigs – it is also a big source of revenue for organised crime groups.

• People can report information anonymously about tobacco being sold illegally to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at keep-it-out.co.uk.

After a survey of thousands of people in Greater Manchester, the History Makers results show that the vast majority of people:

• want to have more smoke free outdoor spaces
• agree that tobacco should be licensed
• would like people to be warned about the dangers of smoking

It is clear that the majority of local people want to Make Smoking History in Greater Manchester.

• Find out more about this initiative and how to get involved on the GM History Makers website at www.historymakersgm.co.uk

Smoking, or being around other people smoking, can lead to asthma symptoms or even an asthma attack. If you, or other significant adults in your child’s life, smoke this puts your child at risk. If your child has asthma, being exposed to tobacco smoke will make their symptoms worse – they will be more likely to cough and wheeze and may not sleep well.

Even if your child does not have asthma, being around parents, grandparents or other family members who smoke increases their risk of developing childhood wheeze. Children exposed to second hand smoke are also at much greater risk of cot death, meningitis, lung infections and ear disease.

If children are living with people who smoke, they will be three times more likely to start smoking themselves than children in smoke-free homes.

If people start smoking as a child or adolescent they are increasing the risk of asthma symptoms continuing into adulthood as well as other serious diseases. There is also evidence to suggest that teenagers who start smoking double their risk of developing asthma.

• For further information visit the Asthma UK website at www.asthma.org.uk/advice/manage-your-asthma/quit-smoking/

If you use paraffin-based emollient creams always keep away from fire, flames and cigarettes. If you smoke, you should ask your doctor for a non-flammable alternative cream.

You should also take care with any clothing, dressing or bedding that you have come into contact with as the ointment may have transferred onto the material and could easily be ignited.

Smoking or a naked flame could cause dressings or clothing to catch fire when being treated with paraffin-based emollient that is in contact with the dressing or clothing.

DO NOT smoke and/or use naked flames (or be near people who are smoking or using naked flames) or go near anything that may cause a fire while emollients are in contact with medical dressings or clothing. Change clothing and bedding regularly—preferably daily—because emollients soak into fabric and can become a fire hazard.

Examples of paraffin-based emollients include:

• white soft paraffin
• white soft paraffin plus 50% liquid paraffin
• emulsifying ointment.

We have produced a 7 minute briefing on this issue which can be shared with practitioners or service users.

• To view a video (3 minutes) about this issue and how to reduce the potential fire risk visit the YouTube website at www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq7JtvRdtWY

Fires caused by smoking are the biggest killers in accidental house fires. In fact, someone dies from a fire caused by cigarettes or smoking materials every five days.

Careless disposal of cigarettes is the single biggest killer in house fires causing over a third of all fire deaths:

• stub cigarettes out properly and dispose of them carefully – Put them out. Right out!
• use a proper ashtray – never a wastepaper basket – make sure your ashtray can’t tip over and is made of a material that won’t burn
• don’t leave a lit cigarette, cigar or pipe lying around – they can easily fall over and start a fire
• Be Alert! Never smoke in bed!

Take extra care if you smoke when you are tired, taking prescription drugs or if you have been drinking. You might fall asleep and set your bed or sofa on fire.

Each year 1,770 people are either killed or injured by fires caused by smoking at home. If you or someone else smokes in your home, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk.

• Stay out of danger by following crucial safety advice from GMFRS on their website at www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/staying-safe/smoking-safety

Safety advice for smokers with mobility impairments
If you have difficulty hearing, seeing or moving you need to take extra care when dealing with fire risks.

• GMFRS can visit you at home to provide free fire safety advice and they may fit specialised smoke alarms for you. Find out more on their website at www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/staying-safe/advice-for-disabled-people

Safety advice for smokers receiving oxygen treatment
Never smoke while using oxygen. Oxygen is a fire hazard and can easily ignite.

If you have oxygen treatment in your home you should take a number of precautions, including:

• always keep the cylinder away from flames and heat sources, such as cookers or fire places
• don’t use flammable liquids near the cylinder
• ensure you have smoke alarms fitted in every room you regularly use, including in the hallway.

Useful Links
Smoking is the most common cause of fire deaths in the home and while measures can be taken to reduce the dangers, the advice is simple – quit and you significantly reduce your chances of dying in a fire.

• For help and advice to quit smoking call the NHS Smoke Free helpline on 0800 022 4332
• Visit the NHS Smoke Free website at www.nhs.uk/smokefree

A third of people who die in fires every year are looked after by a family member, friend or a professional carer. By working together, we can reduce fire deaths and injuries to vulnerable people.

There are some simple actions you can take if you are caring for someone to ensure they are less at risk from fire.

• Book a GMFRS Safe and Well visit on their website at www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/staying-safe/safe-and-well-visit

Smoking
Ideally everyone would stop smoking – but if the person you care for cannot or will not stop  – be aware that scorch marks on the floor, furniture or their clothing are a sign that they might be at risk. When caring for some who smokes:

• provide proper ashtrays and empty them regularly
• stop the person smoking anywhere they may fall asleep
• do not let the person smoke near any oxygen based equipment or paraffin based products like emollient creams.

Cooking
The majority of fires in the home are caused by cooking – usually when someone leaves the cooking unattended. When you are caring for someone consider:

• factors that might make people forget about their cooking – alcohol, medication or a health condition that effects their memory
• fitting a heat alarm in the kitchen – these are triggered by heat so do not go off when cooking
• loose baggy clothing – it can easily catch on a hob or a pan
• specialist equipment – cookers that let you know when they have been left unattended.

Health equipment and products
Over-the-counter health equipment or products, such as flammable emollient creams and incontinence pads, are common features of serious and fatal fires. Try these few tips when caring for someone who needs this type of product:

• use paraffin free emollient creams – they are no more expensive and much safer
• do not use electric blankets with paraffin based emollient creams
• store incontinence pads away from naked flames and where the person smokes
• do not smoke, leave hot items or use electrical goods, like electric blankets, on airflow mattresses
• keep home oxygen away from open flames and fires and do not let anyone smoke while using home oxygen
• install domestic sprinklers and link to smoke detection to Telecare systems.

Hoarding
Hoarded materials can easily catch alight if they come into contact with heat sources such as overloaded extension leads, the kitchen hob or naked flames like candles or cigarettes. Because of the amount of possessions, fires will also spread much faster.  Key points for anyone living in a hoarded property are:

• do not light candles or tea lights of any kind
• make sure the person smokes outside, if they smoke
• develop an escape plan

Book a GMFRS Safe and Well visit through their website at www.manchesterfire.gov.uk/staying-safe/safe-and-well-visit

See our hoarding resource for more advice.

Alarms
Smoke and heat alarms can save lives. Every home should have alarms fitted on the ceiling in all areas of risk and should be tested regularly.

Heat alarms are best for kitchens and smoke alarms can be fitted in most other rooms except for the bathroom, as steam from the hot water could cause false alarms.

Consider these points about alarms:

• interlinking alarms, so that when one alarm detects a fire they all go off together
• if a Telecare system is fitted, this should be linked to the fire alarms
• specialist strobe light and vibrating pad alarms are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
• automatic water systems such as sprinklers may be needed for people who cannot escape easily.