Avon Fire & Rescue Service is urging people to test their smoke alarms regularly after it was revealed that the lifesaving devices failed to operate in 20% of fires in the past year.
As temperatures drop and people start to light candles, have fires and celebrate Halloween, many are decorating their homes and embracing the autumn.
However, like with any change in the season, the autumn and winter bring significant fire risks in the home, and the fire service is urging locals to ensure that their smoke alarms are working.
Group Manager at AF&RS, Ben Thompson said: “You’re around nine times more likely to die in a fire if you don’t have any working smoke alarms.
“Making sure you have enough in your home and that they are working is vital to ensure you allow them to do their job if you need them.”
There were 203 fire-related deaths in homes in the year ending March 2023.
The Fire Kills campaign hopes that by encouraging everyone to test their smoke alarms, more deaths could be prevented.
Ben added: “I’d encourage people in the local area to make sure you test your smoke alarms today and get into the habit of testing them regularly as they can save you and your family’s life.
“In the event of a fire, working smoke alarms can give you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999.”
To help keep you and your loved ones safe, Ben offered these simple steps:
- Test your smoke alarms now or when you get home
- Make sure you fit smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them regularly, even if they’re wired into the mains.
- Whatever happens, never remove the batteries in your smoke alarms unless you are replacing them. Some require new batteries every year.
- Plan and practise an escape route and make sure that everyone in your home knows it.
- In the event of a fire, get out, stay out and call 999.
- Test other’s smoke alarms who are unable to test their own.
