"Push the Button!"

Not Your luck!

HAVE you got a fire alarm in your home? If so, when did you last check the batteries? Or is there a battery still in the smoke alarm?

Tragically, there is a high human cost for not checking your smoke alarm is working. Nationally, the death rate in domestic fires where there is no working smoke alarms is two times higher than that in homes fitted with a working smoke alarm.

Smoke Alarm Facts

During 2001 in the Grampian Fire and Rescue Service area there were;

620 Accidental dwelling fires.

297 Of these dwellings had a smoke alarm, which operated and raised the alarm.

30 Of these dwellings had a smoke alarm, which operated but did not raise the alarm.

129 Of these dwellings had a smoke alarm, but did not operate.

164 Of these dwellings did NOT have a smoke alarm.

Essential tips to ensure your smoke alarm can save your life.

• Check Your Smoke Alarm - once a week, press the test button to check the alarm sounds.

• Change The Battery Once A Year - or sooner if required, remember new battery, new birthday, new year. *Clean The Alarm - the outer and inner casing of battery-operated alarms should be lightly vacuumed at least once a year.

• If Your Alarm Sounds - put your fire plan into action.

• Remember - a smoke alarm does not last forever and will need replaced every ten years - or sooner if it fails your tests.

For further information contact Grampian Fire and Rescue Service Community Fire Safety Department Tel. 01224 696666

e-mail FireEducation@GrampianFRS.ORG.UK