Blue Light Magazine | Information document

Homes that are not fitted with fully functioning smoke alarms pose an increased risk to their occupants: that is, their risk of dying in a fire are doubled. These devices are incredibly inexpensive, so the risk truly is not worth the pennies it would cost having one, and if any additional help is needed in order to install one, the local Fire and Rescue Service can install it free of charge.

How many smoke detectors are sufficient? For many, only one is needed, but in multi-level homes, it is best to have an alarm on each level, explains Blue Light Magazine. The more operational smoke detectors there are, the more likely fire will be detected early, allowing it to be stopped or otherwise allowing people to vacate to safety.

Blue Light Magazine explains that installation of smoke alarms is not enough to ensure safety, however. They must also be maintained. Weekly testing should be conducted and batteries changed every year to make sure they are doing what they are meant to do, and the device itself should be swapped out every ten years to avoid deterioration that would render it ineffective.

Another consideration for those looking to protect themselves is which alarm should be installed. Blue Light Magazine delineates two types of alarms. Optical alarms sense a smoldering fire, while ionization alarms detect open fires. For single level homes, optical alarms are a good choice as they will not tend to go off accidentally. However, one of each is the ideal setup. Whichever alarm is chosen, they should be branded with the British Standard Kitemark.

Smoke alarms go a long way towards safety, but prevention is the best step people can take in avoiding the hazards of fire. A few steps Blue Light Magazine recommends taking include: keep cooking appliances clean; monitor anything left on a heat source closely; keep flammable objects away from heat sources; keep vents clear of obstructions; immediately unplug and isolate any appliance in which a fire starts, and get it serviced before using it again after a fire; and remember not to use water to stop a grease fire. The best way to deal with this last type of situation is to try and smother the fire with a lid if possible.

The combination of smoke detectors and these preventive measures will help any family be safe from fire hazards.