Warwickshire Fire & Rescue support Fire Kills campaign

by Featured NewsFire Detection

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging everyone to make sure they have enough smoke alarms in the home and that they work, noting that it only takes a few seconds and could save lives.

For this reason, the Fire Kills campaign and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service are encouraging people in Warwickshire to have a think about the smoke alarms in their home.

Portfolio Holder, Fire & Rescue and Community Safety, Councillor Andy Crump’s statement

Councillor Andy Crump, Portfolio Holder for Fire & Rescue and Community Safety, said: “We must all make sure that we have enough smoke alarms to cover our homes and test them regularly, at least once a month.

“If you don’t have enough or they’re not in the right place, you might not be alerted in time. You should have at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home, ideally placed on the ceiling in hallways or landings.

“Placing them next to sleeping areas and in rooms where electrical items are present can also give you another means of warning.

“No matter how many smoke alarms you have, you should test them on a regular basis to make sure they are working properly. In the event of fire, having working smoke alarms gives you time to get out, stay out and call 999.”

Top tips

To keep people safe, here are some top smoke alarm tips from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue:

  • Test smoke alarms regularly, at least once a month
  • Make sure smoke alarms are fitted on every level of the home
  • Whatever happens, never remove the batteries in smoke alarms unless replacing them. Some require new batteries every year.
  • Plan and practise an escape route and make sure that everyone in your home knows it
  • In the event of a fire, get out, stay out and call 999
  • Test smoke alarms for those people who are unable to test their own

The Fire Kills campaign has been backed by Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service: Summary

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service are encouraging support for the Fire Kills campaign, designed to raise awareness of smoke alarms in homes and why everyone needs to have one.

North Wales Fire & Rescue voice support for Register My Appliance Week

by Featured NewsHealth and SafetyUtilities

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is supporting Register My Appliance Week (20-26 January 2025) and is urging all households to register these machines, small or large, to ensure their brands know where to find them.

Whether machines are newly-purchased, long-installed, have been acquired ‘nearly-new’ or second-hand, registration is needed to help ensure the longest possible safe lifespan.

According to research, households could be missing out on important safety information because they have yet to register over 40 million large appliances in use in their homes.

With an estimated 133 million fridges, washing machines and ovens in use in UK homes, nearly a third of household have never or rarely registered their large appliances, rendering them extremely hard to trace if a safety repair is ever needed.

Survey on household appliances

A new survey by OnePoll for the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) found that two thirds (68%) of baby boomers said they could not live without their washing machine, closely followed by Gen X (67%). Millennials differed, however, with 56% valuing equally their washer and fridge.

Inter-generational harmony was shown over the impact washing machines had on domestic life with more than half (58%) agreeing it was significant. High regard was also given to vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, fridges and freezers.

The survey by OnePoll also revealed products once considered luxury items are now regarded as everyday necessities by younger generations. Two thirds of Gen Z considered hair tongs, tumble dryers and air fryers as necessities rather than luxury items. By contrast, however, nearly half (47%) of Gen X (just two ‘generations’ older) consider the trusty tumble dryer an extravagance.

Head of Prevention, North Wales Fire and Rescue, Kevin Jones’ statement

Kevin Jones, Head of Prevention for North Wales Fire and Rescue said : “We all value how appliances have changed our lives and are excited by how smart and efficient tech makes chores easier. However, it’s important to ensure these machines we use everyday are registered. It’s quick as well as absolutely free, and means you will be the first to know if a safety repair is ever needed. Just a few minutes well spent will ensure you can enjoy the machine’s perks without sacrificing safety.”

Recalls on home appliances are rare but issues with the equipment can develop over time and a simple, free in-home adjustment by a qualified engineer can ensure a longer and safer life for machines. But, unlike our cars for which logging details is mandatory, a vast number of these valuable possessions are still untraceable because they are unregistered.

Register My Appliance Week backed by North Wales Fire & Rescue Service: Summary

The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has announced their support for Register My Appliance Week, taking part over the 20-26 January 2025. Registering your household appliance is necessary for a longer lifespan and to optimise user safety.