The smoke alarms we have in our homes can often be overlooked. That’s why, as part of the Fire Kills campaign, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is encouraging people to make testing them a part of their regular routine.
Paul Scott, Central Hub Prevention Manager for RBFRS says, “The latest fire statistics show that in cases of primary dwelling fires, the smoke alarms within the properties failed to operate around 25% of the time.
“Don’t let your home add to this statistic. It only takes a few seconds to test your smoke alarms, but could save the lives of you and your loved ones.
“Mark ‘Test it Tuesday’ on your calendars, to remind yourself to do this simple safety step once a week”.
Prioritise your safety with our simple advice.
Buying and Installing Smoke Alarms:
- Make sure you have enough smoke alarms – there should be one installed on every level of your home.
- The best places to fit them are at the bottom of the stairs and on each stair landing.
- The ideal position is on the ceiling, as near as possible to the centre of the room, hallway or landing.
- Avoid placing smoke alarms in kitchens and bathrooms – small amounts of smoke or steam could accidentally set them off!
Looking After Your Smoke Alarms:
- Once a week – test the batteries.
- Twice a year – gently vacuum around it to remove excess dust.
- Once a year – change the batteries (unless it is a ten-year alarm or a mains-wired alarm).
- Every ten years – replace the entire smoke alarm.
Extra Advice and Support:
- Take some time to check on vulnerable relatives and neighbours by testing their smoke alarms for them and making sure they have one installed on every level of their home.
- For advice specific to you and your home, complete an Online Home Fire Safety Check (OHFSC). The National Fire Chiefs Council, Fire Kills and Safelincs have developed a new easy-to-follow home fire safety check tool, which will give you a simple personalised fire safety action plan to help keep you and your household safe from fire.
- Request a Safe and Well visit. This is a free service that RBFRS provides to eligible residents across the county. They are tailored to individual needs and can be arranged at a time convenient for you.
For more information on smoke alarms, please see the safety advice on our website.