The importance of having a working fire alarm was highlighted this week by the Chief Fire Officers’ Association (CFOA) following a spike in the number of house fires across the country.
President of the CFOA, Peter Holland, said recent tragedies served as a “stark reminder” of the need to have an escape plan and a working fire alarm in the home, particularly during the winter months.
“During periods of cold weather it is particularly important for everyone to take extra care especially when using all forms of heating or cooking equipment,” he said.
“Alcohol is also often a major contributory factor in instances of fire deaths and injuries.”
It comes after Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service recorded a ten-year spike in figures and increases in house fires, deaths and injuries.
CFOA has estimated that current trends indicate an increase of around 30% in the numbers of incidences involving fires in dwellings.
“Tragically we are aware of 32 fatalities which have occurred over the last two months across the UK in Derbyshire, West Midlands, Lancashire, Cheshire, Lothian and Borders, Strathclyde, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Humberside, Essex, South Wales and Tayside,” Mr Holland said.