Fire service reminds residents of the importance of working alarms

THE message from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service is “alarms save lives”.

The vital role alarms play will be highlighted as part of Home Safety Week which runs until June 20.

Smoke alarms failed to activate in 18% of all accidental dwelling fires in the UK, with the most common reason (around 50% of instances) being because the smoke did not reach the alarm.

This highlights the importance of installing alarms to ensure the whole home is covered, including rooms that are used most as this is where a fire is most likely to start.

Station manager Steve Ratcliffe said: “The minimum requirement is for a smoke alarm to be fitted on each floor of your home, but we’d strongly recommend you also fit them in the rooms you use most, such as living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms for extra protection.

“Where you place your alarms is also important to make sure the smoke reaches to activate them; they should be placed on the ceiling, in the middle of a room.

“If you don’t have smoke alarms, or they’re 10 years old and need replacing, you can easily pick some up from your local DIY store or supermarket – just look out for the British Standard Kitemark.”

Carbon Monoxide is a highly poisonous gas, which you cannot see, taste or smell. Therefore the fire service is also recommending that any room with a fuel burning appliance such as an open fire, wood burning stove or gas appliance should also have a working Carbon Monoxide alarm fitted.

To help you stay safe at home, here are some top tips:

■■ Install at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home and also in the rooms you use most – you could also install heat alarms in kitchens and bathrooms to avoid steam accidentally setting them off.

■■ Test all alarms once a week to make sure they work.

■■ Never disconnect or take the batteries out of your alarms.

■■ Ensure all appliances are installed and maintained correctly by qualified tradespeople.