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Home » News & Events » 2014 » May » Location, location, location: Is your smoke alarm placed for protection?

Location, location, location: Is your smoke alarm placed for protection?

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So the Fire Kills campaign and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) are working together to encourage local residents to take a second look at their fire protection and make sure it’s up to scratch.

With the majority (86%) of the country owning a smoke alarm, it’s clear that most people understand that a working smoke alarm can save lives, providing those vital few seconds needed to escape a house fire.

But if your smoke alarm isn’t in the right place, it might not alert you in time.

That’s why HWFRS is asking people to think about where their smoke alarm is positioned and whether they need to fit additional alarms to ensure they will get an alert and the time to get out, stay out and call 999.

“The vast majority of us now have at least one smoke alarm in our homes,” said Station Commander Alan Haley from HWFRS. “But early detection and warning is vital to reduce the devastation a house fire can cause. That’s why it’s so important that your smoke alarms are in the right place to have the best chance of alerting you and your loved ones to a fire.”

He continued; “You should make sure you have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, preferably in hallways and landings. And placing smoke detectors in rooms where there are electrical appliances could give you the extra warning you need.

“It’s also important to remember that smoke alarms don’t last forever. The power might work, but the mechanism deteriorates with time. So whether they are battery operated or wired to the mains, to work at their best they should be replaced every ten years.”

HWFRS offered these five smoke alarm top tips:

  • Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home.
  • The ideal position is on the ceiling, in the middle of a room or in a hallway or landing.
  • Consider fitting alarms in other rooms where there are electrical appliances.
  • Don’t put alarms in or near kitchens and bathrooms where smoke or steam can set them off by accident.
  • Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.

The Service is also encouraging carers and those with relatives who are less mobile to help check their homes also have smoke alarms in the right places.

“And finally,” added Station Commander Alan Haley, “please don’t forget to test your smoke alarms regularly! It’s important you ensure your smoke alarm works otherwise it cannot alert you to a fire and save you and your families lives".

For more information, visit Fire Kills on Facebook, www.facebook.com/firekills