Deaf swim coach alerts hoteliers to fire safety danger for deaf sleepers

Posted on September 30, 2015

Louise Halvey, a swim teacher for deaf children, who travels extensively across the UK , more often than not finds that fire safety provision for deaf people staying in hotels is inadequate, potentially putting her and other deaf people’s lives in danger.

Louise says: “I have a progressive hearing loss, which is now severe to profound. When staying in hotels I’m very aware that should a fire alarm sound I would have to rely on a member of staff (a stranger) entering the room to wake me,in itself a very frightening thought, and especially invasive if that staff member is male.”

Portable, low-cost solution

Now there’s a new low-cost solution that uses Geofire’s ‘listen and learn’ technology to alert deaf or hard of hearing people if the fire alarm sounds while they are sleeping.

 The Agrippa Pillow Alarm’s performance has received a very favorable response from Louise: “For me the Agrippa Pillow Alarm is the perfect solution, as it gives a deaf person protection from the danger of fire while in sleeping accommodation. It allows deaf guests like myself to sleep with our minds put at ease, a reassurance that all hotel guests should enjoy. It’s clear from its design that it’s perfect for hoteliers too.”

The Agrippa Pillow Alarm is a portable, battery powered, wire-free unit with a pad attachment that simply goes under a sleeper’s pillow. If the fire alarm sounds the pillow pad vibrates, high intensity LED lights flash and an LCD screen displays ‘FIRE’. As it’s compact and portable and requires no installation, it can be moved around a building as required and ensures compliance with elements of the Equality Act 2010.

Geofire campaign ambassador Louise

Swim coach Louise Halvey is supporting Geofire’s campaign to alert hoteliers and accommodation providers of the need to make proper sleeping provision to protect the equal rights of deaf and hard of hearing people.