Make fire safety a priority by installing enough smoke alarms in your home.

25 Jan 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service, as part of the Fire Kills campaign, is asking people to make sure they fit smoke alarms on every level of their home and to test them regularly.
 
Latest fire statistics reveal that one smoke alarm may not be enough to provide you with the best chance of escaping a fire. Despite the majority of homes (90%) having at least one working smoke alarm, householders in England were alerted to a fire in only 45% of cases.
The most common reason a smoke alarm failed to activate was because the fire was outside its range.
 
For this reason, the Fire Kills campaign and NFRS are encouraging people in Northumberland to think about the number of smoke alarms in their home, where they are placed and to test them regularly. It only takes a few seconds and saves lives.
 
Chief Fire Officer for NFRS, Paul Hedley said “Early detection and warning are vital to reduce the devastation a fire in the home can cause. That’s why it’s so important that you have enough smoke alarms and that they are in the right place to have the best chance of alerting you and your loved ones to a fire.
 
“It’s also important to remember that smoke alarms don’t last forever. The power might work, but the detection 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.”
 
NFRS offer these smoke alarm top tips:

•  Install at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home.
• Fit your smoke alarms in the right place. The ideal position is on the ceiling,
• in the middle of a room or on a hallway or landing.
• Consider fitting additional alarms in other rooms where there are electrical
• appliances and near sleeping areas
• 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 fire service is also urging carers and people who keep a close eye on less able relatives to check that these homes have enough smoke alarms and that they are in the right places too, as well as asking residents to not ignore a neighbour’s beeping smoke alarm.
 
For advice specific to you and your home, click here to complete an online home fire safety check.
 
For further information, click here to visit the Fire England website or click here to visit the Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service Website.