Expert Comments On New Figures

New concerns raised over the fire safety standards in place at a number of care homes across England need to be addressed by authorities as soon as possible, a public liability expert at Irwin Mitchell has urged.

Figures released to the Guardian have revealed that a number of sites are failing in relation to fire regulations, with around 135 care homes being flagged as hazardous by visiting safety inspectors.

It is thought that around 4,700 elderly and disabled people are residents in homes which have been described as unsafe, with problems including blocked fire exits and routes and problems with alarms flagged by authorities.

Irwin Mitchell acts for the families of a number of vulnerable members of society who have been injured as a result of safety failings and errors in care homes.

David Urpeth, who is an expert in public liability claims related to care home safety, said: “The release of this data is a welcome move, as it has raised very serious concerns over the potential dangers which many people may or may not be facing.

“Both care home residents and their families deserve to know that the sites adhere to the highest safety standards, but sadly it seems that in a number of cases this is not true.

“A strong reaction is needed and we hope that any homes which were found to have significant problems in relation to fire safety work quickly to address their problems and provide reassurances that the necessary standards are being met.

“It is vital that lessons are learnt from this before it is too late.”