Protect your loved ones from fire

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is asking people to make one of their resolutions in 2013 to ensure that their smoke alarms are up to date and are in the right place to protect their home.

Many people see January as an opportunity for a fresh start, and safety should be no exception. So this month Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging everyone to make sure they have enough smoke alarms in the home and that they work.

A smoke alarm can give someone the few extra seconds they need to escape in a fire. But while the majority of homes across the country now have an alarm fitted, most people are not aware that the average alarm has a lifespan of just ten years and then need replacing.

On top of that, for those who live in a multi-storey home or a larger property a single smoke alarm may simply not be enough. Last year, nearly half of all household fires where the smoke alarm did not give a warning were because the alarm was not close enough to detect the fire.

So Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is asking people to make sure that their alarms are up to date and up to the job.

To keep your alarms in working order:

• Test your smoke alarm by pushing the button regularly
• Check the packaging for your smoke alarm to make sure it's still up to date
• Fit smoke alarms on landings and hallways and in rooms which have an electrical appliance• Tak
• Take a moment to check on your less able loved ones to ensure they're fully protected

Councillor David Acton, Chairman of Greater Manchester fire and Rescue Authority, said: "At this time of year, many will be thinking of what they can do - big or small - to make a fresh start and improve their lives, homes and wellbeing. A smoke alarm can offer vital protection for you and your loved ones, but most people simply fit and forget - they don't know if it might be coming to the end of its lifespan.

"For most of us, there is nothing more important than keeping our loved ones safe and secure. So if your alarm is getting past its best or your top floor is missing an alarm of its own, make your New Year's resolution to fit new ones, and protect your loved ones in 2013."