Think safety, think smoke alarms Easter weekend!

Date published: 05/04/2007

Every year over 70 people are killed and 250,000 are injured carrying out DIY jobs. This Easter weekend Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are warning, "Don't be a DIY disaster - Think, take care, be safe.... Don't burn the house down’!

Assistant County Fire Officer Steve Beckley said: "Easter Weekend is an ideal opportunity to do that quick job that could save your life, "fitting a smoke alarm’. If you have a fire in your home, a smoke alarm will buy you valuable time. Time to put your escape plan into action. Time to get your family to safety". 

Modern smoke alarms are neat and unobtrusive. They cost around £5 to £8. You don’t need to be a DIY expert to fit one. You do need to fit a battery. Six essential smoke alarm tips to help keep you and your family safe from fire are:

• Fit smoke alarms on every level of your home.
• Check the battery once a week.
• Replace the battery every twelve months.
• Battery smoke alarm units should be replaced every ten years.
• Consider installing ten-year battery smoke alarms or mains-powered alarms.
• Do not put smoke alarms in the kitchen or bathroom.

For a free Home Fire Risk Assessment call 0800 555 815 or for further information about smoke alarm maintenance and fire safety advice go to www.manchesterfire.gov.uk or www.firekills.gov.uk