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Fire safety checks are preventing care home residents doing everyday tasks and are stifling their independence, it has been claimed.

The criticism follows recommendations arising from the Rosepark care home fire in Lanarkshire in January when 14 residents died.

Amanda Hepburn, manager of Day Break House, a residential home for recovering mental health service users in Edinburgh, said fire brigade recommendations to lock the kitchen, laundry room and store cupboards restricted residents in their daily living.


A spokesperson from the Scottish executive - which ordered the safety checks - said the "reassurance visits" by fire brigades were intended to draw attention to potential fire hazards and to provide advice on how to improve individual care homes.

"A balance needs to be struck between promoting fire safety and protecting quality of life for residents," he said.

A spokesperson from the Care Commission said, although no new fire safety regulations had been put in place, the visits were recommended best practice to care providers.