Half of UK fire deaths happened in buildings fitted with fire alarms
A recent report has shown that around 80% of buildings in the UK are fitted with smoke alarms.
Despite this fact, almost half of fire deaths in buildings last year happened in a building that had working smoke alarms. It is a known fact that many people disable their alarms if they go off frequently and then forget to replace the batteries.
Most fires in the home start in the kitchen and many have some involvement with alcohol. Rob Davies, from West Midlands fire and rescue service, said: “About 60% of house fires are caused by fires in the kitchen. But when you come onto fatalities and fire deaths, it’s slightly different. In fact, with 40% of fire fatalities there has been some involvement with alcohol.”
Sheila Merrill from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said that often, people who lost their lives in a fire in their home had not heard the fire alarms due to being in a deep sleep because of alcohol or medication. |Another contributing factor to these deaths is that although fire alarms are fitted, escape exits have not been planned. Ms Merrill said: “In some instances, they could have heard the alarm but their exit out of the house is actually blocked by the fire, so they’re still unable to get out. And what we have to remember is that nine times out of 10, it’s not the fire that kills you, it’s the smoke.”
The Governments chief fire and rescue adviser said: “Simple checks such as closing doors every night and avoiding overloaded plugs will help reduce the risk in the home. If the worst should happen, everyone should make sure they are prepared and have an established and practiced escape route in place,” he said.
It is important to ensure that your smoke alarms are working and The Fire Training Academy encourage you to get into the habit of testing your alarms every Tuesday. Join us on Facebook and Twitter to get your weekly ‘Test it Tuesday’ reminders.
Kitchen fire started by chip pan
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service were called to a house in Adam Street in Kidderminster last Friday evening following a kitchen fire.
Engines from Kidderminster and Stourport attended the blaze. Crews used a covering jet and positive pressure ventilation equipment to clear smoke from the house and managed to extinguish the fire within an hour.
Neil Bennett, from the fire service said: “This fire involved a chip pan which had been left unattended and the occupants of the house were only alerted by the smell of smoke once the fire had taken hold. While they were able to escape from the house, unharmed, there was considerable damage to the kitchen as a result of the fire, and extensive smoke logging throughout the rest of the house as doors had been left open.”
He warned anyone cooking with hot fat to be vigilant and never to leave their cooking unattended.
Before leaving the property, firefighters installed smoke alarms and also visited neighbouring addresses to check that they have working smoke alarms in their homes.
Fire Training Academy recommends that smoke alarms are fitted on all floors of your home and that you get into the habit of testing them regularly. Look out for out ‘Test it Tuesday’ reminders on Twitter and Facebook.
Landlords told to make sure they meet safety standards
Yorkshire landlords and agents are being told to make sure they conform to current fire safety regulations after a huge blaze broke out at a building in Scarborough.
The fire broke out in the Queen Street flat in May last year. Landlord, Mr Mcferren later appeared at York Crown Court and was fined £5,000 for breaching serious fire safety regulations and ordered to pay £2,400 in costs.
An investigation into the fire showed that Mr Mcferren had rented out the flats even though there had been no fire risk assessment and there was no working fire alarm and fire detection system in the property.
Richard Hanley of North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service said: “The majority of business premises that we visit under our audit schedule are well-managed, however, we continue to find buildings where the legislation does apply, which do not have adequate fire risk assessments or fire safety provisions. The conviction of Mr Mcferren on this matter shows how seriously the Fire Authority and the courts view those who put the safety of others at risk in the event of a fire.”
The fire service have issued a warning to remind business owners and landlords that they must comply with the relevant fire regulations.
Fire Training Academy are able to provide you with detailed information on what you need to do to ensure you meet current safety standards.
Is Terry the new special one?
Fire Training Academy were recently chosen to provide training at Chelsea football club to Roman Abramovich’s personal team and support staff.
Terry and the team will be making sure Mr Abramovic’s personal protection team are fully trained in fire safety and prevention and in the event of an incident, are able to tackle it safely and quickly.