More than a third of homes in Cornwall which had a fire in the last year did not have a smoke detector Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service has warned.

Of the 304 house fires attended by firefighters last year, 120 did not have a smoke detector. And in a quarter of cases where a smoke detector had been installed, the device did not activate.

Smoke detectors provide a vital early warning of fire, giving people precious time to get themselves and their loved ones to safety, explained Paula Wellings, Casualty Reduction Manager for CRFS.

She said: ‘Smoke detectors will often pick up traces of fire before you do - especially if fire breaks out at night - and so it’s really important to have a smoke detector on every floor of your home.  It is important to test them at least monthly but we advocate weekly if possible.’

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service will fit smoke detectors as part of free Home Fire Safety Checks offered to the more vulnerable members of the community. Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service advises that

at least one smoke detector should be fitted on every level of a home and be replaced every ten years. They should be on landings and hallways and near bedrooms and in rooms where there are fire risks such as heaters or chargers.

For more information about fire safety and Home Fire Safety Checks visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/fire or call 0800 3581 999.