Don't ignore the beep

We’ve all done it. That little chirp from the smoke alarm goes off, you notice it… and then you put it off for another day. 

But that small sound is your early warning system. It could give you the time you need to get out safely. 

Fire incidents across England are rising, and fire-related deaths are higher than they were five years ago. In over a third of fire-related deaths last year, there was no smoke alarm in the home. Homes without a working alarm are 11 times more likely to experience a fatal fire. 

The risk is often closer than we think. Most electrical fires start with everyday items we use without a second thought - appliances used incorrectly or faulty leads. Cookers and ovens alone account for nearly half of appliance-related fires. 

Some people are more at risk, including young children, older adults and people who live alone. In single-occupancy homes, 14% of fires end in fatalities. If you live alone, a working smoke alarm may be your only early warning. 

The good news is that protecting yourself is simple. Test your smoke alarms regularly by pressing the button and checking the batteries. Create a quick night-time routine - turn appliances off, unplug what you can, check the hob and close internal doors before bed. 

It only takes a few minutes, but it could make all the difference.