Working smoke alarms save lives – get them, install them, test them.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS), as part of the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) monthly Fire Kills campaign, is urging people to test their smoke alarms to keep their homes, themselves, and their families safe.
“Testing smoke alarms only takes a few seconds, yet those few seconds could save your life” says Paul Scott, Central Hub Prevention Manager for RBFRS. “Once fitted, smoke alarms are often forgotten about and people do not realise that they are faulty or have stopped working completely.
“Smoke alarms are an essential protection device for keeping your homes safe, as they offer vital escape time for you and your loved ones in the event of a fire. So please test your alarms weekly and change the batteries once a year to protect your households.”
RBFRS is advising residents throughout Berkshire to keep their smoke alarms in good working order by following a few simple steps:
- Make sure there is at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home.
- Test your smoke alarms by pushing the button, ideally once a week.
- Check that your smoke alarms are less than 10 years old.
- Change the batteries every year. Never remove them temporarily.
- Fit smoke alarms in the right place – on landings and hallways and near bedrooms. Avoid placing them in kitchens or bathrooms where smoke or steam can set them off by accident.
- Twice a year, gently vacuum the alarm to remove dust.
- Replace your smoke alarms every 10 years, even if you think they still work.
- Take a moment to check on friends and family members who may need help installing and testing smoke alarms in their homes.
For further information and advice, visit RBFRS’s Safety at Home webpages, which includes smoke alarm guidance.
