Latest fire statistics reveal that one smoke alarm may not be enough to provide you with the best chance of escaping a fire in the home.

Most people know that working smoke alarms save lives. They provide the vital early warning that allows for a safe escape and tragedy avoided. But, despite the majority of homes (88%) having at least one working smoke alarm, smoke alarms only alerted householders to just one in every three fires in the home in England.

The most common reason a smoke alarm failed to activate was because the fire was outside its range. For this reason, the Fire Kills campaign and Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service are encouraging people in Cornwall to think about the smoke alarms in their home.

’We all must make sure that we have enough smoke alarms in our homes and that they are in the right places,’ said Watch Manager Katie Hoskins-Sweeney from Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service.

’If your whole home isn’t covered, you could be leaving it to chance and, in a fire, you might not get the early warning that you need.’

To work at their best they should be replaced every ten years.

Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service offered these five smoke alarm top tips:

Install at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home.

The ideal position is on the ceiling, in the middle of a room or on a hallway or landing.

Consider fitting additional alarms in other rooms where there are electrical appliances and near sleeping areas.

Don’t put alarms in or near kitchens and bathrooms where smoke or steam can set them off by accident.

Replace your smoke alarms every ten years.

Cornwall Fire, Rescue and Community Safety Service is also urging carers and people who keep a close eye on less able relatives to check that these homes have enough smoke alarms in the right places too.

’And finally,’ added Watch Manager Hoskins-Sweeney, ’don’t forget to test your smoke alarms every month. They can only do their job if they’re in good working order.’