Government Relaunches Fire Kills Campaign in 2020

On the 3rd of February 2020, the government relaunched the ‘Fire Kills’ campaign. 

The campaign aims to re-establish the dangers of fire and the importance of staying vigilant in your home. Combining videos and text, the campaign provides key statistics, information and advice regarding house fires in the UK.

The campaign has partnered with other organisations, including Dementia UK and retailer B&Q, to help spread the message.

This article will discuss the contents of the campaign, the reasons for its relaunch and tips for staying safe.

What is the Fire kills Campaign?

The campaign highlights how common household items can quickly lead to house fires. It also emphasises the importance of regularly testing your smoke alarm.

Candles, stoves, cigarettes, heaters and overloaded plug sockets are used as examples of common household fire hazards. A video displays five scenarios, one for each item, in which a simple mistake leads to an uncontrolled fire. The video demonstrates that a momentary lapse of judgement can have severe consequences. It is important to always be attentive when using these items.

The campaign also provides the following safety advice:

• How to use a smoke alarm correctly
• How often to test a fire alarm
• How to cut the risk of fire in your home
• How to protect your property if you are a landlord
• How to stay safe if you have sight, hearing or mobility issues
• How to stay safe if you are or you care for an elderly or disabled person
• How to stay safe if you live in a high rise flat
• Who is responsible for fire protection in a rented property

Why has the Fire Kills Campaign been relaunched?

Recent fire safety surveys and reports have revealed alarming statistics.

In the year ending June 2019, 215 people lost their lives due to a fire in the home. It was also reported that 23% of people with fire alarms in their home never test them. 

The government felt it necessary to re-educate the public in a bid to reduce these statistics.

Tips for testing your alarm

Analysis from the Home Office has found that you are around 8 times more likely to die in a house fire if you do not have a working smoke alarm. The best way to ensure that your smoke alarm is working is to test it regularly.

The tick, tock, test campaign aims to remind homeowners to test their smoke alarm twice a year — on the same days as the clocks are changed. The premise is to make testing your smoke alarm a habitual bi-yearly routine, along with changing the clocks.

Other smoke alarm advice includes:

• Install a smoke alarm on every floor of your home, including in each bedroom
• Never place a smoke alarm in a kitchen or bathroom
• Never paint over your smoke alarm
• If you are a landlord, or are a letting agent acting on behalf of a landlord, you are legally responsible for ensuring that the property is suitably fire protected, including installing fire alarms on every floor.

Scutum London is one of the UK’s leading fire experts. We supply, install and maintain a wide range of fire safety products and services to commercial customers across the South East, including London and Surrey. We offer top-of-the-range fire alarms that can be monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, giving you and your business total peace of mind — even when you’re away from your property. Professional installation and regular maintenance are also available and carried out by our trained engineers. 

Contact us today to arrange a free site survey and quote, or just to receive some friendly, expert advice.