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Smoke alarms save lives. Fit one on every level. 


Date: 13th January, 2025

As part of the Fire Kills campaign, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue is asking people to make sure they fit smoke alarms on every level of their home and to test them regularly.

Latest fire statistics reveal that one smoke alarm may not be enough to provide you with the best chance of escaping a fire in the home.

Despite the majority of homes (93%) having at least one working smoke alarm in their home1, smoke alarms alerted householders to a fire in England in only 47% of cases2. The most common reason a smoke alarm failed to activate was because the fire was outside its range.

Safe & Well Manager Sarah Moore said: “Regularly testing and making sure there are enough smoke alarms is extremely important. If you don’t have enough, or they’re not in the right place, you might not be alerted in time.

Not just this, but smoke alarms don’t last forever and regularly need to be checked to ensure they are working as they should. They provide vital warnings to help reduce the devastation a fire in the home can cause.”

Take a look at these smoke alarm top tips:

If you are a carer or have elderly/vulnerable relatives, don’t forget to check their smoke alarms too.

For advice specific to you and your home, visit www.ohfsc.co.uk and complete your own home fire safety check.  For further information, visit: fireengland.uk/fire-safety or www.dwfire.org.uk/smoke-alarms/

Note to editors

1 Ref: Fire statistics table FIRE0701, Fire statistics data tables – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
2 Ref: Fire statistics table FIRE0702, Fire statistics data tables – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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