How many smoke alarms do you have and do they work?
More than 1,600 properties in the area had no smoke alarm during a fire
As the new year begins, the Fire and Rescue Service is asking people to make sure they fit smoke alarms on every level of their home and to test them regularly.
Over the last 10 years, more than 1,600 properties in Herefordshire and Worcestershire had no smoke alarm during a fire, whilst over 530 were too far from the fire to be effective.
The latest fire statistics reveal that one smoke alarm may not be enough, while research shows that only 26% of all households who own an alarm test them on a regular basis.
HWFRS head of prevention Emma Roberts said: "We must all make sure that we have enough smoke alarms to cover the whole of our homes. If you don’t have enough, or they’re not in the right place, you might not be alerted in time.
"The vast majority of us now have at least one smoke alarm in our homes, but early detection and warning are vital to reduce the devastation a fire in the home can cause."
Despite over 90% of homes nationally having at least one working smoke alarm, households in England were alerted of fires only half the time.
The most common reason for fire alarms failing to activate was because the fires were outside their range.
In over 240 cases the fire crews could not be certain whether a smoke alarm had been fitted and therefore whether this might have affected the outcome.
Moreover, nearly 80 alarms had a battery missing, the detector was removed in 40, nearly 35 had a defective battery and over 25 had a fault in the system.
'Smoke alarms don't last forever'
Ms Roberts added: "Please ensure you have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, preferably in hallways and landings.
"And placing smoke alarms near sleeping areas and in rooms where there are electrical appliances could give you the extra warning you need.
"Don’t forget that smoke alarms don’t last forever. The power might work, but the detection mechanism deteriorates with time. So, whether they’re battery operated or wired to the mains, to work at their best they should be replaced every ten years."
The Government recently announced that housing providers will be legally required to install smoke alarms in all social housing.
Also, carbon monoxide alarms must be fitted in social and private rented properties with fixed appliances such as gas boilers.