Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 20/03/2008 13:51

Cornwall County Fire Brigade is asking the public to take a second while changing their clocks on 30th March, to check their smoke alarms.

Matt Littmoden, Chief Fire Officer said, “Smoke alarms have been responsible for detecting many of the 60,000 house fires that the Fire and Rescue Service are called to in the UK each year. However, many of the hundreds of deaths that unfortunately occur could be avoided if smoke alarms had been checked and working.”

Nationwide there has been a 30% increase in cases where a smoke alarm didn’t work because the battery was disconnected, missing or needed replacing. For longer term protection and peace of mind, it's a good idea to fit 10-year smoke alarms.

Ken Yeo, Executive Member for Public Protection added, “In Cornwall, we are committed to reducing fire deaths by ensuring that every home in the county has a working smoke alarm, including special alarms for people with impaired hearing problems. To make sure this happens, our firefighters will continue to carry out free home fire safety checks and fit free smoke alarms. Cornwall County Fire Brigade has already fitted over 15,000 free smoke alarms in our local communities.

Check your alarms once a week - if you get into the habit it of doing it the same day and time each week it could save your life.”

Smoke alarms are inexpensive, costing from less than £5, and are available in DIY stores and at many supermarkets. Always make sure that they meet the BS5446 Part 1, have a 'KITEMARK' and that they are fitted in accordance with the instructions provided.

How Do I Look After My Smoke Alarm?
1. Once a year – Change your battery (unless it's a 10-year alarm).

2. Once a week – Check the alarm by pressing the button.

3. Twice a year – Vacuum and wipe the smoke alarm casing to ensure dust isn’t blocking the sensor chamber. (For mains wired alarms, switch off first.)

Whatever happens – never remove the battery to use it for other purposes.

In closing Matt Littmoden said, “We know that smoke alarms save lives. They can give you and your family the necessary warning to get out in the early stages of a fire, which should in turn allow us to get to you more quickly. Once fitted they do require testing and some simple cleaning. The one sombre message I would leave you with is dead batteries can be replaced, dead families cannot.”

For a free Home Fire Safety Check, call 0800 3581 999.

- Ends -
Enquiries
Hannah Rees
Communications Officer
Cornwall County Council
Communications Unit
Tel: 01872 322785
Email: hrees@cornwall.gov.uk

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=723