Protect your family from toxic smoke

Families should test their smoke alarms weekly, to avoid drowning in toxic smoke.

The hard hitting message is being delivered in a new ‘Fire Kills’ advertising campaign from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Just a few breaths of toxic smoke from a house fire will affect a person’s ability to breathe, leaving them unconscious.

The death will be similar to that of drowning.

Raising public awareness of this fact is of the utmost importance in light  results from research conduced for the campaign.

A survey looking into individual safety habits showed that 43 per cent of people made the fatal mistake of thinking they could survive for more than two minutes in a smoke filled room.

A worrying 48 per cent believed they would be alerted to a fire by the smell of smoke.

A mad 18 per cent left their survival to chance, believing they would be alerted to a fire by a barking dog or someone else waking them.

The new campaign is aiming to get the public to test their smoke alarms every week.

Survey results showed that 90 per cent owned smoke alarms but only 70 per cent actually tested them weekly.

Fire Minister Shahid Malik said: “Toxic smoke from a fire will affect your ability to breathe in a similar way to drowning – after just two to three breaths you’re unconscious. The only way to buy more precious seconds to escape is by having a working smoking alarm. Owning a smoke alarm and hoping that it works is not enough to protect your home and loved ones.

“House fires can begin in a range of ways but they do not have to be fatal. Planning and preparing for the unexpected is key.  Take immediate action by getting a smoke alarm, testing it weekly and planning an escape route in the event of a fire.  You can get a free home fire risk check from your local Fire and Rescue Service. These simple steps could save lives.”

Fit a smoke alarm on each level of the property. When a fire starts, there is little time to escape so an early warning is vital. Battery operated smoke alarm units should be replaced after 10 years. Or consider installing a mains powered alarm.

Test alarms weekly – a smoke alarm can buy valuable time, if it’s working.

Plan your escape route – make sure you and your family know the quickest way out in the event of fire. Consider an alternative route in case your usual one is blocked.

Stay safe in the kitchen. This is the area where most house fires start.  It only takes a minute to check electrical appliances are switched off.  And never leave cooking unattended.

Ask the experts. Fire and Rescue Services in England offer free home fire risk checks to identify potential fire risks and advise what to do to reduce or prevent them. This may even include the free installation of a smoke alarm. 

If a fire does break out in the home, then Get out, Stay out and Call 999.
For more information about fire safety, visit: www.direct.gov.uk/firekills