Firefighters are encouraging people who have fitted their own smoke alarms to think about whether they have put them in the right places – and whether they need more of them.
Government figures show that although 90 per cent of homes in England have at least one smoke alarm, they don’t always alert occupants to a fire.
The most common reasons a smoke alarm fails to activate are because of a missing or flat battery, or because the fire is outside its range.
Joanne Cook, head of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s community safety team, said: “Early detection and warning are a vital part of keeping people safe from fire.
“We’re asking people to take a few seconds to think about where their smoke alarms are placed, and whether they need at least one more in their home to ensure they have the time to get out, stay out and call 999.
“You should make sure you have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, preferably in hallways and landings.
“Placing smoke alarms near sleeping areas and in rooms where there are electrical appliances could give you the extra warning you need.
“It’s also important to remember that smoke alarms don’t last forever. The power might work, but the detection mechanism deteriorates with time, so whether they are battery operated or wired to the mains, to work at their best they should be replaced every 10 years.”
