Millions of Homes Lack Smoke Alarms

Direct Line has sounded the alarm (pun intended) on a fiery issue: a whopping 3.8 million Britons are living without smoke alarms.

Even among those who have them, only a quarter test them monthly as fire safety experts recommend. Yikes!

The insurer's deep dive into 2024/25 government fire data uncovers some eye-opening stats. In 5% of home fires causing casualties, smoke alarms were useless due to missing or faulty batteries. Even more alarming, 48% of fires occurred in areas not covered by alarms. This highlights the need for smoke alarms in every room, not just one!

But wait, there's more. A staggering 27% of people admit to disconnecting their alarms or removing batteries, while 18% have ignored alarms mid-blare. And yes, 14% have even resorted to covering them with bags. Talk about risky business!

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Beyond the beeping devices, broader fire safety measures are also lacking. Only a quarter of Brits have a fire extinguisher handy, 20% have a kitchen fire blanket, and a mere 6% own an escape ladder. These tools could be lifesavers in a blaze.

Dan Simson, head of Direct Line Home Insurance, urges everyone to keep their smoke alarms in tip-top shape, especially as candle fires spike during the festive season. Remember, fire safety is about more than just owning the gear—it's about maintaining it to protect both people and property.

So, let's get those smoke alarms chirping and fire safety measures in place. After all, prevention is better than a fiery cure!

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Access from your preferred podcast provider by clicking here

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