Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging everyone to make sure they have enough smoke alarms in the home and that they work, noting that it only takes a few seconds and could save lives.

For this reason, the Fire Kills campaign and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service are encouraging people in Warwickshire to have a think about the smoke alarms in their home.

Portfolio Holder, Fire & Rescue and Community Safety, Councillor Andy Crump’s statement

Councillor Andy Crump, Portfolio Holder for Fire & Rescue and Community Safety, said: “We must all make sure that we have enough smoke alarms to cover our homes and test them regularly, at least once a month.

“If you don’t have enough or they’re not in the right place, you might not be alerted in time. You should have at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home, ideally placed on the ceiling in hallways or landings.

“Placing them next to sleeping areas and in rooms where electrical items are present can also give you another means of warning.

“No matter how many smoke alarms you have, you should test them on a regular basis to make sure they are working properly. In the event of fire, having working smoke alarms gives you time to get out, stay out and call 999.”

Top tips

To keep people safe, here are some top smoke alarm tips from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue:

• Test smoke alarms regularly, at least once a month
• Make sure smoke alarms are fitted on every level of the home
• Whatever happens, never remove the batteries in smoke alarms unless 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 smoke alarms for those people who are unable to test their own

The Fire Kills campaign has been backed by Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service: Summary

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service are encouraging support for the Fire Kills campaign, designed to raise awareness of smoke alarms in homes and why everyone needs to have one.