Look after the lives of your loved ones!!
Every year the fire and rescue service is called to over 600,000 fires which result in over 800 deaths and over 17,000 injuries. About 50,000 (140 a day) of these are in the home and kill nearly 500 and injure over 11,000, many which could have been prevented if people had an early warning and were able to get out in time. In fact you are twice as likely to die in a house fire that has no smoke alarm than a house that does.
In a recently released report from the Home Office, based on figures from the year 2015/2016, statistics show that over 50% of recorded casualties in home fires are accountable from fires started by cooking appliances, with over 10% of figures recorded resulting in deaths.
A worrying statistic is the fact that fires where a smoke alarm was not present, accounted for 28% of all dwelling fires and 33% of all dwelling fatalities during the recorded period.
There are only 1.5 million homes in England that have a smoke alarm installed, with many of these just being simple smoke detectors offering limited protection, indeed a very worrying 38% of battery powered smoke alarms failed to operate in dwelling fires in 2015/16 in England.
Installing a good quality smoke alarm is imperative when considering the lives of you and your loved ones.
Carbon Monoxide
Whilst both smoke and fire and smoke are visible dangers, Carbon Monoxide cannot be seen or smelt, therefore posing a different and more dangerous threat to lives. Statistics prove that over 30% of deaths in dwelling fires are related to Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
Panoramic Fire and Security offer a full installation service with both wired smoke and wireless alarm systems to suit your needs. Our smoke, heat and carbon monoxide alarm systems can all be interlinked so that one alarm activating will trigger all, providing added protection throughout the home.
A few housekeeping tips (the correct alarm for the right environment):
Kitchen and Garage: Heat Alarms
Landings: Ionisation smoke alarms or combined optical smoke and heat alarms
Bedrooms, Living rooms and Hallway: Optical smoke alarms or combined optical smoke and heat alarms.
How many should be fitted?
The number of smoke alarms to fit in your home depends on your particular circumstances. Fires can start anywhere, so the more that are fitted, the higher the level of protection.
For maximum protection an alarm should be fitted in every room (Not in the bathroom, steam may trigger the alarm), choosing the type most suited to the risk in each room. For minimum protection the number to be fitted will depend on the type of home you live in.
If your home is on one floor, one smoke alarm, preferably of the optical type, may be enough to provide you with early warning of a fire. If your home is on one level, you should fit the alarm in the hallway between the living and sleeping areas.
If your home has more than one floor, at least one alarm should be fitted on each level. In this case a combination of optical and ionisation alarms, preferably interconnected, will give the best protection.
Remembering that your alarm is fitted in a place where it can be heard throughout your home – particularly when you are asleep.
Looking after your smoke alarm
Smoke alarms need very little maintenance. A few minutes of your time during the year will ensure that your alarm is working and could help save your life and the lives of your family. Test your smoke alarm when the clocks are changed and vacuum it gently using the soft brush attachment to remove dust from the sensors. Once a year change the battery, unless it’s a ten-year alarm and then after 10 years it’s best to get a whole new alarm.
Remember:
Buying and fitting smoke alarms, and ensuring they are carefully and properly maintained, could give you those precious few extra minutes in which to make your escape safely.
Escape routes:
Plan an escape from your home in advance and talk about it with your family. If a fire occurs you may have to get out in the dark and difficult conditions. Escaping will be a lot easier it everyone knows where to go. Make sure your routes remain free of any obstructions and that there are no loose floor coverings that could trip you.
