FIRE chiefs have urged residents to make sure their alarms are up to date, in the right place and to test them every week.
This month, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging everyone to make sure they have enough smoke alarms in their home and that they work.
A smoke alarm can give someone the few extra seconds they need to escape in a fire.
While the majority of homes across the country now have an alarm fitted, most people are not aware that the average alarm has a lifespan of just ten years and then needs replacing.
Station commander Steve Andrews said: “A smoke alarm can offer vital protection for you and your loved ones, but most people simply fit and forget – they don’t know if it might be coming to the end of its lifespan or not working at all.
“For most of us, there is nothing more important than keeping our loved ones safe and secure.”
