Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people that working smoke alarms save lives.
There were 251 fire-related deaths in the home across the United Kingdom in the year ending March 2024.
Although this represents an ongoing reduction in the number of fatalities – there were 335 in 2021/22 and 321 in 2022/23 – as part of the Fire Kills Campaign, HWFRS hopes that, by encouraging everyone to test their smoke alarms weekly, further deaths can be prevented.
Emma Roberts, HWFRS Head of Prevention, said: “You’re around nine 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.
“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 weekly 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.”
HWFRS 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 weekly, 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 if they 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/.