CLACKS Council have applied for funding in order to help older and disabled residents across the Wee County install fire alarms.

An extra £500,000 has been allocated to Care and Repair Scotland, doubling the funding already given, to help older and disabled people install the alarms.

However, as Care and Repair does not operate locally, the council have applied for extra funding from the Scottish Government.

The new rules require all homes in Scotland to have interlinked fire alarms, which communicate with each other so that a fire in one room sets off alarms throughout the property, giving people more time to escape and call emergency services.

Requirements came into effect for owner-occupied homes and those in the social rented sector on Tuesday, February 1.

Homeowners will not be penalised if they haven’t had the alarms installed in time but are encouraged to do so.

Shona Robison, housing secretary, said: “We’re introducing these new standards because interlinked fire alarms will save more lives.

“One death from fire is one too many, but tragically last year alone 44 people died in house fires in Scotland.

“We would encourage all homeowners to install the alarms as soon as they are able – long life battery-powered interlinked alarms are as easy to install as traditional standalone ones."

A Clacks Council spokesperson said: "While Care and Repair does not operate locally, the council has applied to the Scottish Government for funding to assist older and disabled homeowners to install these alarms."

Despite the announcement of extra funding, there are still concerns a number of concerns surrounding the installation of the alarms.

MSP Alexander Stewart, Scottish Conservative shadow minister for equalities and older people, has voiced his constituents’ concerns over the supply of alarms.

Mr Stewart also reiterated the concerns of older people who are uncomfortable letting tradespeople into their homes due to the prevalence of Covid-19.

He said: “A great deal of correspondents do not want the disruption of installing hard-wired devices, or having an electrician, plasterer and decorator working in their house at this time of Covid-19 restrictions, and so many have decided that sealed battery units were the best solution.

“They also shared additional worries regarding trustworthy contractors being available.

“I have received a great number of letters from people who have been trying without success to source suitable, compliant battery-powered devices, some since last October after being warned by friends and neighbours that there may be severe shortages.”

Visit tinyurl.com/5fhfry34 for more information on the new law and the funding available.