13 May 2009

A man and his baby son were able to escape from a fire in the middle of the night - thanks to a working smoke alarm.

Crews from Waddesdon and Aylesbury were called to the fire - which started in the kitchen of a house in Baker Street, Waddesdon - at 2.49am. Firefighters extinguished it with a hose reel and used a fan to clear away the smoke.

Group Manager Greg Smith, who also attended the incident: "The smoke alarm alerted them straight away and enabled the father and child to get out of the house and dial 999 before the fire was able to take hold.

"When fires break out, which is often during the night, smoke alarms provide a vital early warning sign - indeed, they are often your only warning. There is little doubt that the working smoke alarm prevented this from turning into a far more serious incident."

Terry Ridgley, head of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service's community safety team, said: "Once again, a properly maintained smoke alarm has done its job, and we’re delighted that no-one was hurt.

“Smoke alarms detect fires at their earliest stages and give a loud warning to help you and your family to get out safely. A house fitted with working smoke detectors - and people reacting to them - gives us a much better chance of saving lives.

“If you don’t have smoke alarms in your home, now is the time to act. If you do have smoke alarms, remember to check that they work by pushing the test button once a week.

“Nationally, 80 per cent of the population own smoke alarms, but statistics show that in one in every eight house fires attended by fire and rescue services, the smoke alarm failed to work, largely due to flat or missing batteries.

"Don't put yourself or your family at risk for the sake of a battery."

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service carries out free home safety checks and fits free smoke alarms where necessary. Ring 01296 744477, email cs@bucksfire.gov.uk or fill in the online form to book an appointment.


Advice if you are fitting your own smoke alarms:

• Fit one smoke detector to each floor at least 30 centimetres (12 inches) away from any wall or light fitting at ceiling level.

• Make sure your detector has the British Standard Kitemark on it.

• If you have only one smoke alarm, fit it in a place where it can be heard throughout your home - particularly when you are asleep!

If you have a one-year smoke detector, test the battery once a week and change the battery annually. Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service recommends 10-year tamper-free detectors fitted with push buttons. These are available from all DIY stores.