News
London Fire Brigade issue warning after no working smoke alarms found in most 2017 fatal fires
Five of the seven fatal fires since the turn of the year had no working smoke alarms fitted in their homes, according to London Fire Brigade.
The information is being released in an unprecedented move ahead of the inquests in a bid to avoid further lives being lost. The Brigade says it is deeply concerned that lack of smoke detection in homes is putting Londoners at risk.
Since the beginning of 2017 sadly ten people have died in fires across the capital.
In all but one of these cases, the Brigade was only called when a neighbour noticed the fire. In the other instance the smoke alarm operated and was linked to a telecare provider who called the Brigade.
Eight of the ten people who died were over 65 years of age with several of those in receipt of some form of care.
The Brigade are asking care staff, neighbours and family members who look after or visit some of our most vulnerable residents to get in touch with their local fire and rescue service if they notice any of the critical early warning signs that a person is at risk of a fire, to get advice on preventing a blaze.
Classic tell tale signs include burn marks on carpets from cigarettes, smoking in bed or a smoke alarm that has run out of battery power.
Over half of all dwelling fires that the Brigade attended in 2016 did not have a smoke alarm that worked or sounded which often means the fire remains undiscovered for some time.
In fatal fires the trend is even more worrying. Two years ago a smoke alarm sounded at 74 per cent of fatal fires. Last year the figure was 41 per cent and so far this year only 29 per cent.
London Fire Brigade believe many of these deaths could have been avoided
London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton said:
“While the coroner has yet to determine cause of death we believe that many of these deaths could have been avoided if the victims had working smoke alarms.
“Often the most deadly fires are small fires that quietly smoulder and smoke while people are asleep or in a different room. Without the early warning of a smoke alarm, people can be over come with smoke before the fire is discovered.
“Please fit at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your property and regularly check them. The quicker firefighters are alerted, the quicker we can help save lives and prevent fires from spreading. Get out, stay out and dial 999.
“It is devastating that in 2017 people are dying from fire in homes without life saving smoke alarms on every level of their property.
“Last year we visited over 70,000 homes of London’s most vulnerable carrying out home fire safety visits but there is a lot more we all must do to educate people about the benefits of smoke alarms for everyone and sprinklers for the most vulnerable.“
The difference between life and death
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said:
“It is deeply concerning that Londoners are risking their lives by not having working smoke alarms in their homes.
“Smoke alarms provide a vital warning in case of fire and can mean the difference between life and death. I urge Londoners to take the Fire Brigade’s advice and fit alarms in your home, helping them in the fantastic work they do every day to keep us safe.“
Londoners should always ensure you have at least one smoke alarm fitted on the ceiling of every floor in your home – ideally placing smoke alarms in every room of your home where there is a fire risk, and linking all the alarms together.
When it comes to private rented accommodation, London Property Licensing is reminding landlords and letting agents that it is a legal requirement to have a working smoke alarm fitted on each floor within every private rented home.
This is the minimum fire safety requirement and more extensive fire precautions are likely to be required in multiple occupied properties, including shared houses and flats. Further information can be found in the LACORS national fire safety guidance (read here).
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