Smoke alarams, smoke alarms, smoke alarms…..do not forget to install them.
Latest research from the English Housing Survey highlights that only 81% of households with private tenants has at least 1 working smoke alarm. Meaning 1 in 5 privately rented homes are not fitted with an alarm, putting tenant’s lives at risk.
Changes in legislation were passed last October whereby all private landlords must install smoke alarms on each floor of their rental property or face significant fines – as highlighted in our blog article Did You Know About The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015.
To encourage landlords to ensure the safety of their tenants many fire and rescue services were offering free smoke alarms but, as the figures show, the up take was low. Even with new legislations in place there are always going to be landlords who believe the law doesn’t apply to them or the safety of their tenants is not top priority.
It is imperative that all homes in the UK should have a fire alarm installed, whether rented or not. The risk of loss of life is far higher in a property that does not have smoke alarms fitted.
Electricians, when scoping out your projects don’t forget to include the installation of fire alarms – it could potentially save a life.
