Hilda May Cole · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 16th July 2014 I commenced an investigation into the death of Hilda May Cole, Aged 86 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 21st October 2014. The conclusion of the inquest was Accidental death with Mrs Cole having died from extensive 3rd degree burns to the whole body.

Mrs Cole was found dead in her home on the morning of 7th July 2014 by firemen who had been called to the property. She had died from burning. It is likely that she had been smoking while sitting on a sofa in her lounge and had dropped a lit cigarette onto the seat or other material on it.

1. Mrs Cole had one of the pendant alarms supplied by you. She was a smoker with reduced mobility and there was a risk of fires. At the inquest I heard that family members were not aware that the system that you provide can be linked into other alarms such as fire alarms and burglar alarms. If they had been aware they would have subscribed to the fire alarm system for Mrs Cole. The family have told me that they have subsequently seen literature on which these others services do appear. However they wonder if you should be taking more steps to advise existing service users of the additional facilities you provide and if new customers are aware of these facilities. I wonder if this something that you should be pursuing?