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Why bother fitting a Smoke Alarm?

Did you know? 
 
  • you are 3 times more likely to die in a house fire if you do not have a working smoke alarm.
  • most people who die in house fires do not have a working smoke alarm.
  • there are around 63,000 house fires in the UK every year?
  • that around 500 people are killed every year? And that another 14,000 people are injured?

If you have a fire in your home a maintained smoke alarm will quickly alert you to the fire, therefore it is important that the alarm is tested weekly to ensure that the battery is still functioning. This will give you time to put your escape plan into action and get your family to safety.
 
Modern smoke alarms are neat, unobtrusive and cost around £5 to £8. The alarm comes supplied with screws and fitting instructions and you do not need to be a DIY expert to install one.

Your local firefighters will also know of groups that can give advice and help in supplying and fitting safety equipment for older people, and people with disabilities and other special needs.

Where should I fit a smoke alarm?

If your home is on one level - a flat or bungalow - fix it to the ceiling in the hallway, between the living room and bedrooms.

For extra safety, fit alarms in the bedrooms. Do not fix it on walls or shelves. Do not fit it too near the kitchen door - smoke alarms can be set off by steam and cooking fumes.

If your home has more than one floor, fit one alarm at the bottom of the stairs and another on each upstairs landing.

Fitting your smoke alarm

Fit an alarm within 7 metres (22 feet) of the living room door and 3 metres (9 feet) of a bedroom door. It should be at least 300mm (12 inches) from any wall, light or heating air-conditioning vent.

Test the alarm to check that you can hear it all through the house. If you can't hear it, move it or buy more alarms.

Testing your smoke alarm

Around 1 in every 5 smoke alarms fail to work because they do not have a battery, or because the battery is flat.

Test your smoke alarm every week. If the alarm does not work, fit a new battery. If it still doesn't work, buy a new alarm.

If your alarm is bleeping from time to time, change the battery.

Change the battery once a year, even if it is still working. Do it on a day you will always remember. Another birthday, another battery. New Year, new battery. Keep a spare battery handy. Clean your smoke alarm. Gently vacuum the inside and outside casing twice a year.

And remember that smoke alarms do not last for ever. You will need a new one every 10 years.

Special Needs

There are special alarms for older people, and for people with disabilities and other special needs:
 
  • Mains powered smoke alarms that have back-up batteries
  • Vibrating pads and/or flashing lights that warn people with hearing impairments.

Always fit a smoke alarm in the bedroom of a person who smokes in bed, or who uses an electric blanket. People who may need assistance in escaping in a fire must have some means of calling for help. Systems include:
 
  • A buzzer or intercom
  • A telephone with an automatically dialled emergency number
  • A private or local authority assistance alert scheme.