Smoke Alarm Information

Facts and Figures

75 children killed in house fires in 2003
Chip pans and other cooking facilities cause the most number of house fires; smoking leads to the highest number of fatalities.
More fires start in the kitchen than any other room but the largest number of fatal fires start in the living room
Fire is still the leading cause of death for one to nine year olds in the home.
The numbers of deaths and injuries due to fire have declined over recent years.
Having a smoke alarm can more than double your family's chance of surviving a fire.
The chances of a fire occurring in your home is minimal if you take sensible precautions.
Fires do happen however careful you are. The sooner you know there is a fire the quicker you and everybody who lives with you can escape and call the Fire Brigade.
In the Lancashire area 16 deaths occurred last year as a result of a house fire none of these households had a fire alarm.
Half of deaths in homefires occur between 10pm and 8am
A quarter of all people who die in homefires were asleep at the times.
Up to 270 people killed in fires each year didn't have a smoke alarm.
Over the last five years more than 70 people have been killed every year because their smoke alarm didn't work, usually because the battery was flat or missing

General Tips and Advice

A fire in your home will spread very rapidly but the real killer is the smoke. Having a smoke alarm fitted in your home provides an early warning to a fires presence and will allow you and your family to escape to safety.

How to choose a smoke alarm

Depending on your needs and budget there are several models of smoke alarm to choose from. Your local fire brigade will be happy to give you further information about them.

Power Supply

A lot of people often forget to check their smoke alarm batteries, so the best choice of power supply is one that lasts longest. There are four options available.

Standard battery alarms
Standard battery alarms are the most basic alarms and the cheapest available. But batteries will need to be tested every week and replaced once a year.

Alarms with 10 year batteries
These are slightly more expensive but you will save on the cost of replacement batteries.

Mains-powered alarms
Mains powered alarms are powered by the household's mains supply and solve the problem of checking the battery. They need to be installed by a qualified electrician. Prices start at about £15, but you need to add the cost of the fitting. It's worthwhile thinking about this option if you are having other electrical work done in your home.

Alarms that plug into a light socket
This type of alarm use a rechargeable battery which is charged up when the light is turned on. It is important to make sure you turn the light on often enough to keep the battery charged up. They start at about £20.

Whatever model you choose, look for the British Standard Kitemark and follow the manufacturers instructions when fitting the smoke alarm.

Fitting a Smoke Alarm

Smoke alarms are easy to fit. All you have to do is follow the manufacturers instructions.

Help with installation

If it is difficult for you to fit your alarm, contact your local fire brigade. They will be happy to advise you or help you install it and to answer any other questions you may have on fire safety in the home.

How many smoke alarms do I need?

The more you have, the safer you'll be. You should have at least one on each floor of your home.

Where should I fit them?

Always put smoke alarms where you will be able to hear them throughout your home, particularly when you are asleep or doors are closed.

Ideal locations are at the top of the staircase, on stair landings and between living and sleeping areas.

Don't fit alarms in the kitchen or bathroom, where they can easily be set off accidentally by steam or smoke from cooking.

You should fit alarms on the ceiling, as near as possible to the centre of the room, hallway or landing. The alarm should be at least 30cm (one foot) away from any wall or light.

Every year people are killed in fires at home because their smoke alarms failed to work due to flat or missing batteries.

Once a week test the battery - press the test button until the alarm sounds.
Once a year change the battery (unless it's a 10-year alarm).
Twice a year open the case and gently vacuum the inside to remove dust from the sensors. If it doesn't open, vacuum through the holes.
After 10 years it's best to replace your alarm with a whole new unit.

My alarm keeps going off - What's the problem

False alarms can be annoying but are easy to prevent. Whatever you do don't remove the battery or disconnect the alarm.

The usual problem is placing the alarm too near the kitchen - where it can be set off accidently by smoke from cooking or making toast. Follow the advice on fitting and try moving the alarm to a less sensitive area. Or, replace it with a hush or silencer button alarm.

WARNING! False alarms can also show that your alarm needs servicing.

Vacuum the alarm to remove any build-up of dust dirt.
If your smoke alarms starts to 'beep' regularly, you must replace the battery as soon as possible. If it is a 10 year alarm, you should replace the whole unit.

Your Escape Plan

By fitting smoke alarms in your home you have taken the first step in protecting you and your family from fire. If in the event that the smoke alarm went off, would you know what to do?

Be Prepared!

Make a fire action plan so that everyone knows exactly what to do in the event of a fire and how to escape safely.
Let anyone staying with you know the plan. Take extra care of children, older people and those with problems getting around.
Plan your escape routes and keep your exits clear.
Keep door keys handy and make sure everyone knows where to find them.

If a fire starts

If your smoke alarm goes off, don't waste time investigating
Follow your Fire Action Plan. Warn the people in your household and get everyone out as quickly as possible.
If there is smoke, keep low to the floor where the air is clearer.
Call 999 as soon as you are clear of the building.

If escape routes are blocked

If you can't get out, get everyone into one room, preferably one with a window and a phone. Put bedding round the door to block smoke.
If you're on the ground floor, escape out of a window. Don't jump!
If you can't open the window, reak the glass in the bottom corner. Make jagged edges safe by covering them with a towel or blanket.

If there's a Fire... GET OUT, STAY OUT, AND CALL 999

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