A smoke alarm on every floor
in News
Every home needs a smoke alarm on the ceiling of every floor.
This is the latest advice from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) which has seen a 40% reduction in the number of house fires in the 10 years 2009-2018, largely due to the fitting of smoke alarms.
However, this can be further improved if homeowners and property owners ensured that every floor (or half level) had a working smoke alarm which is less than 10 years old.
Smoke alarms can give someone the few extra seconds that they need to escape in a fire, and the majority of homes in the country now have one fitted.
For people who live in a multi-storey home or a larger property a single smoke alarm is not enough. Last year, nearly half of all fires in the home, where the smoke alarm did not give a warning, were caused by the alarm not being close enough to detect the fire.Missing or flat batteries were another major cause.
Area Commander Mark Preece of HWFRS said: "One smoke alarm on every floor gives occupiers the best chance of getting out of their home before smoke becomes a fire. Fit them, test them, and replace them at least every 10 years.
"Smoke alarms keep us all safe in our homes. If you have a family friend or a relative, who may be vulnerable, elderly, or who has limited mobility, who would benefit from a free Home Fire Safety Check then give us a call on 0800 032 1155 quoting reference NEWS to see if they qualify for a check."
To keep your alarms in working order:
- check that your smoke alarms are less than 10 years old
- make sure there is at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home
- test your smoke alarms by pushing the button every week
- fit smoke alarms on landings and hallways and near bedrooms.Also consider rooms which have electrical appliances – eg a heater or charger, or other fire risks
- take a moment to check on those closest to you who may need help to ensure they're fully protected.
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pr035.smokealarms_everylevel.CR.mar19.jaa (ACMP)