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Home » News & Events » 2017 » May » What should you do if you hear a neighbour’s smoke alarm?

What should you do if you hear a neighbour’s smoke alarm?

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Smoke alarm active 1Smoke alarms can be lifesavers, if they are working. In fact, you are seven times more likely to die in a fire in the home if you don't have any working smoke alarms.

If one starts bleeping in your home, chances are you would know about it and do something – turn the cooker off, open a window, check the toaster or, if there's a fire, get out, stay out and call 999.

But what would you do if you heard a neighbour's alarm going off? It might be tempting to ignore it, but the Fire Kills campaign and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are calling upon us all not to ignore it, but to check it out. If there's a fire, or if you're not sure, call 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service. It could save a life.

Station Commander Stuart Crebbin, Community Risk department said: "If you heard a smoke alarm in your own home, you wouldn't ignore it, so we are asking people to remain vigilant even when they are out and about. If you hear a neighbour's smoke alarm, check if there's a fire. Perhaps ring the doorbell or see if there are any obvious signs that a fire may have started but make sure you don't put yourself in any danger."

He continued: "It is important that you make sure that you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level in your home and that you test them weekly to ensure they are working. Make sure you know what to do if one goes off in your home – have an escape plan, make sure everyone in the home knows it and practise it."

To find out more fire safety information, please visit www.gov.uk/firekills or www.hwfire.org.uk or follow @hwfiresafety on Twitter.