Fire Kills campaign urges us all to test the smoke alarms in our homes now and regularly

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, as part of the Fire Kills Campaign, is urging people to test their smoke alarms as fire statistics show that where smoke alarms were present, they failed to operate in 25 per cent of fires in 2023/24.  

Emma Roberts, Prevention manager at Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: “You’re around 12 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 180 fire-related deaths in the home in England in the year ending March 2024. The Fire Kills campaign hopes that by encouraging everyone to test their smoke alarms more deaths could be prevented.

Emma Roberts added: “I’d encourage people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire 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 will give you the valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999.”

To help keep you and your loved ones safe, Emma Roberts offers 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 others smoke alarms who are unable to test their own

Anyone who thinks they might qualify for a free Home Fire Safety visit can call the HWFRS Prevention team on 0800 032 1155.

People can complete a free online Home Fire Safety check at www.safelincs.co.uk/hfsc/

FIRE Magazine

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