As part of the Fire Scotland commitment to building a safer Scotland, the fire service offer everyone in Scotland a free home fire safety visit. If you would like to request a free fire safety check, please contact the Fire Service on 0800 0731999 and ask for the Community Fire Safety Department.

If you say that you are calling to request a fire safety check they will arrange this for you. The length of time that you wait for this service will depend on the demand that the fire service have at the time.

There is no charge made for this service at the current time and they will fit smoke alarms free of charge where required.

You can also contact your local East Lothian Fire Station by using the information below.

Contact information
Phone: 0131 228 2401
Text: FIRE 80800

You can also complete an online Fire Safety in the home self assessment, and if necessary book a Fire Safety Check here.

If you have a permanent and severe sight impairment that cannot be corrected by glasses, and are having difficulty in walking around safely and/or using public transport, you may benefit from the services offered by RNIB Scotland Employment and Learning Centre.

To find out more, please get in touch by using the details below.

Contact information
Website: RNIB
Email: elc@rnib.org.uk
Phone: 0131 657 8200
Address: 24d Milton Road East, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH15 2JN

If you are experiencing difficulties with filling your cup, glass or mug and it is placing you at risk of scalding yourself, you can refer yourself for an occupational therapy assessment by contacting the East Lothian Council’s Central Access Team on 01875 824309.

RNIB also offer advice and support on a range of issues on visual impairment and have an office with a resource centre where you can look at special equipment and aids for daily living.

For more information and up to date opening hours, please contact them using the following details.

Contact information
Email: rniblothian@rnib.org.uk
Phone: 0131 652 3140
Address: 12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh, EH7 5EA

For general enquiries, please email: rnibscotland@rnib.org.uk.

If you suspect you may have hearing loss and want further testing on the NHS, make an appointment to see your GP.

Most GPs don’t have the equipment to do a full hearing test in the surgery, but your they can examine your ears to check for obvious problems, such as a build-up of earwax, and treat the cause if necessary.

Your GP can also give you a referral to an NHS hospital specialist to have your ears and hearing thoroughly checked and an NHS hearing aid fitted.

You can also choose to go directly to a private hearing aid dispenser instead of having your hearing tested on the NHS.

Just as with the NHS route, a hearing aid dispenser will assess you with a full hearing test lasting up to an hour before deciding if you would benefit from wearing hearing aids. You don’t need a referral from your GP.

You can search for a local hearing aid dispenser on the BSHAA's website, which you can access by following the link here. Alternatively, simply type ‘hearing aid dispenser’ along with your town or postcode into a search engine, such as Google.

Some local hearing aid dispensers offer free testing, so it's worth asking before you make an appointment.