Importance of Smoke Alarms in Your Home

We’re going to be discussing how important smoke alarms in your home really are. We know they can save lives, but sadly, it’s the case that for many homes they’re missing. Having a smoke alarm can not only save your home it can also save your life, so having one should clearly be a priority, whether you own or rent your home.

The Statistics Speak Volumes

  • In 2014/15, of the nearly 40, 000 fires in that year, 31% involved fires in properties with no fire alarms, and 19% where there were fire alarms, but they weren’t operational.
  • Fires in the home where they didn’t have a smoke alarm in 2015/16 were at 28%, with 33% resulting in fatalities, and where there was a smoke alarm present but it didn’t work or raise the alarm accounted for 31%.
  • In 2016/17, 31% of all dwelling fires were due to a smoke alarm not operating properly or raising an alarm, this figure was similar to 2015/6 which was at 32%. What is disturbing is that alarms which failed to work due to a faulty system or incorrect installation was 14% for battery operated and 13% for mains operated in 2016/17. 

The figures tell us how fatal it can be if you don’t have a smoke alarm. Not having a smoke alarm or having one that doesn’t work properly can lead to a home being destroyed by fire or even death, as the figures show quite clearly.

How Does a Smoke Alarm Help?

Having a smoke alarm is crucial in giving you fair warning of imminent danger. It helps you to plan your escape before it becomes so serious you can’t get out. The figures for fires where there was a smoke alarm and where they escaped unharmed are much lower, because a full working alarm will help give you four times the chance of surviving a fire.

RML – Safe and Reliable Smoke Alarm Installation

If you’re concerned about your smoke alarms, or if you don’t even have any, then obviously this is something you need to rectify as soon as possible. Here at RML as responsible electricians in Edinburgh, we install smoke alarms safely in people’s homes all the time, so we have plenty of experience. We’ll make sure any smoke alarms we install are operational and working in accordance with fire regulations, that way you’ll have peace of mind and know that should there be a fire, you and your loved ones will have plenty of warning to get out safely.

Website Editor