Battersea, London -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/17/2016 -- According to official statistics revealed by the Office for National Statistics, there were 5% fewer deaths cause by fire than last year in the UK, a continuing trend year-on-year. Statistics also show that overall fire deaths have reduce by 40% since 2004, along with declining numbers of people injured in fires at home – less than half than in 2004.

These dropping figures are due to new legislation to ensure all new property have a working smoke alarm fitted in every home, as well as an overall improvement in fire safety equipment quality and reliability over recent years.

However, the same cannot be said for residents living in the US who have seen an increase in fire-related deaths between 2009 and 2014. In one report revealing statistics from the British Columbia Fire Commissioner showed that dead batteries were found in smoke alarms in 302 residential fires, resulting in 39 injuries and seven fatalities in one US province alone. Their figures also show that no smoke alarms were found at all in 1,966 residential fires, resulting in 113 injuries and 20 deaths in the same area.

The US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has voiced its concern about the number of U.S. households without these early warning devices. Although 96% of American homes have at least one smoke alarm installed, no smoke alarms were present or were not working in two out of five (41%) of the reported home fires between 2003-2006.

Back in the UK, the UK Fire Protection Association's (FPA) have advised homeowners that a key part of fire safety is to regularly check smoke alarm batteries to ensure they are not flat and to replace batteries routinely.

Their information states: Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.

The FPA also recommend that householders use the following advice:

- Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area.
- Install alarms on every level of the home.
- Install alarms in the basement.
- Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.
- Replace all smoke alarms after 10 years of use.
- Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.

How smoke alarms can save your life

It is recommended that you use interconnected smoke alarms wherever possible. This way when one smoke alarm goes off they all will sound giving you an early alert to a fire in another part of your home or building that you may not be aware of. It is advised to check smoke alarms once per month by pressing the test button to ensure the alarm is working.

The best place to install smoke alarms are high up on a wall or on a ceiling. To reduce the risk of a false alarm it is advised that smoke alarms are fitted away from the kitchen where they may be triggered by accidents in the kitchen, such as burnt toast or smoking pans used for cooking. Ideally a smoke alarm should be at least 10 feet away from the stove top.

Why not take a look at our expert range of smoke alarms. We also offer an installation service – see our site for details: http://www.dram-security.co.uk/