Fatal fires linked to lack of smoke alarms

Nine out of ten fatal fires in the Republic last year occurred in homes which did not have working smoke alarms, it was revealed today.

The number of properties with alarms – 50 to 60% – was also found to be significantly less than in the North, where 98% of homes are fitted with the devices.

But fire officials remain concerned that only one third of people in the province regularly test them.

An Ireland-wide campaign, launched today in Belfast, said a working smoke alarm could reduce the risk of death in a fire by 50%.

Last year 39 people died following fires in the Republic, while eight people lost their lives after blazes in the North.

Irish Minister of State Batt O’Keeffe said the statistics starkly highlighted the importance of fitting and regularly testing smoke alarms.

Mr O’Keeffe said: “They are the most inexpensive life-saving device that you can have.

“They should be an essential and integral part of every household.”

The minister urged homeowners to test their alarms every week and said the appalling statistics should act as a wake-up call.

Mr O’Keeffe said: “All we have to understand is the trauma and the suffering experienced by families who have lost loved ones is not something any of us would want to go through.”

The minister said in 88% of fire-related fatalities in the Republic last year there was either no smoke alarm fitted or, if there was one, it was not working.

Mr O’Keeffe said no figures were available for smoke alarm ownership in the Republic but put the figure at between 50 to 60%.

Alan Richardson, acting chief executive of the National Safety Council, described smoke alarms as the most important item in the home.

Mr Richardson said: “People think they are going to somehow waken when smoke is coming from an electrical device when in fact the opposite happens.

“You go into a deep sleep and there is a very good chance that you will never wake up at all.”

Mr Richardson said it was important parents educate their children in fire safety and, like businesses, carry out regular fire drills.

He said many blazes were smoking-related and called for the introduction of self-extinguishing cigarettes, developed in the US, to Ireland.

Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Officer Peter Craig said the importance of the campaign – which runs from today until October 17 – could not be underestimated.

He expressed concern that one third of homes in the provine do not regularly test their alarms.

Mr Craig said: “North-South Fire Safety week provides an excellent opportunity to deliver life-saving fire safety messages to everyone, especially those who are most vulnerable within our community such as young children and families and the elderly.

“We hope Fire Safety Week will help us drive sown the number of people in Northern Ireland who don’t test their smoke alarms.

“Owning a smoke alarm is only a first safety step – help us to help you by testing it weekly as it could just save your life.”