Sarah McCarthy-Fry MP has given her backing to a new government campaign launched on 15 January. The stark message is to ‘Pull Your Finger Out’ and check your smoke alarm. Checking a smoke alarm only takes minutes but the reasons given for failing to take this simple precaution are disturbing, with general apathy stopping many people from being fire safe.

Although 80% of homes in England have a smoke alarm, new survey results from the Fire Kills campaign show that four in five of those polled don’t follow advice to test their alarm every week. One in three smoke alarms fails to operate in fires, mainly due to missing of non-working batteries.  Not checking smoke alarms regularly puts loved ones and homes at risk.

The ‘Pull Your Finger Out’ national advertising campaign, fronted by Julie Walters, will run in England from 15 January to early March.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry MP said:

“Although fires in the home are rare, we can all help to ensure that we aren’t victims of tragedy by getting a smoke alarm and checking it weekly. These simple steps could save lives”

Fire Minister, Parmjit Dhanda said:

“The harsh truth is that unless a smoke alarm is regularly maintained it could be rendered useless in the event of a fire. Clearly it is not enough to simply own a smoke alarm and hope that loved ones and homes will be protected. Maintaining a smoke alarm takes moments and this simple precaution can save lives.”

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service can provide a free home fire safety visit and will fit a free smoke detector, if you don't already have one.  For more info please telephone 023 8062 6809