8th March 2012

WEST DORSET: Test your smoke alarm once a week

A SMOKE alarm without batteries is “a useless piece of plastic” - that is the message from the manager of the Community Safety Task Teams based at Dorset Fire and Rescue Service HQ, Poundbury fire station.

Manager Karen Adams leads a team of firefighters and officers who are taking DFRS’s safety message out into the community, with a particular focus on educating vulnerable and hard to reach groups.

Karen Adams said: “When someone dies in a fire it is always upsetting. At Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, our aim is to reduce all preventable fire deaths to zero. We want to see every home in Dorset with a smoke alarm and that means testing your smoke alarms every week.

“With the clock change fast approaching, when you go around your home changing the time on all your clocks, take the time to test your smoke alarms too.”

She added: “We provide a free home safety check service to those in our at risk groups.

“Firefighters and DFRS staff are able to visit residents in their homes and fit or replace smoke alarms, advise on the use of candles, unattended cooking, electric blankets, overloading sockets, chimneys, low energy light bulbs and much more. This is all free of charge with the aim of encouraging people to think about fire safety in the home.”

Advice from DFRS staff includes considering your night-time routine – close doors, keep an escape route clear, and check you know where the door key is so you can let yourself out.

“Smoke alarms should be tested once a week to make sure they are still working and in good condition. A smoke alarm without a battery is useless piece of plastic,” said Karen.

To request a Free Home Safety Check phone 01305 252600 or use the new online form found at www.dorsetfire.gov.uk

WEST DORSET: Test your smoke alarm once a week

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