Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is urging Berkshire residents to test their smoke alarms regularly as part of October’s Fire Kills campaign.
There were 208 fire-related deaths in the home in the year ending March 2022, and in 2020/21, fire statistics show that 28% of smoke alarms failed to operate during a fire. This Fire Kills campaign hopes that by encouraging everyone to test their smoke alarms, more deaths could be prevented.
Paul Scott, Central Hub Prevention Manager, said: “You’re around eight 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 checking that they are working is vital in allowing them to do their job if you need them.”
“We are encouraging all residents of the Berkshire area to test their 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 valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999.”
To help keep you and your loved ones safe, follow these simple steps:
- Test the batteries in your smoke alarm once a week, even if they’re wired into the mains.
- Test the smoke alarms of those who are unable to test their own.
- Make sure you fit at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home.
- Whatever happens, never remove the batteries in your smoke alarms unless you are replacing them. Check which type of smoke alarm you have and replace it when needed – this could be every 10 years or even 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.
For further information about smoke alarms, visit the Smoke Alarms page of our website.