Residents urged to get smoke alarms fitted
16 January, 2008
Nottinghamshire fire-fighters are telling people to ‘Pull Your Finger Out’ and check your smoke alarm as part of a new government campaign launched this week.According to new survey results from the Fire Kills campaign and TNS, 95% of households in the East Midlands households polled have a smoke alarm. But 80% of those do not test their alarm often enough, putting their homes and loved ones at risk.
Excuses for not testing their smoke alarms include forgetfulness, being too busy or simply not bothering.
”Smoke Alarms save lives”
Watch Manager Dave Bryan, of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Community Safety Team said: “Our message is simple – smoke alarms save lives, but only if they work!
“Although smoke alarms fitted by the fire and rescue service contain 10-year batteries, others purchased and fitted by individuals may not, so they need to be checked regularly to make sure they remain in good working order.
“We’re urging all Nottinghamshire residents to pull their fingers out and test their smoke alarms weekly, replacing the batteries when necessary. This simple action could be the difference between life and death.”
Raise Awareness
Latest statistics from Communities and Local Government (CLG) show that, on average, there are 791 accidental house fires in Nottinghamshire each year, injuring 210 and killing 7 people. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of not only installing smoke alarms, but making sure they are in good working order to give families the best chance of getting out of a fire alive.
The ‘Pull Your Finger Out’ campaign will be accompanied by a new wave of TV advertising, fronted by Julie Walters, which highlights the devastating and potentially fatal consequences of not testing your alarm often enough.
By Editor.
