Londoners are being warned they risk “drowning” in toxic smoke if they fail to fit a smoke alarm. The Brigade has issued the stark warning in support of the Government’s national ‘Don’t drown in toxic smoke’ advertising campaign which launched this week.
The campaign aims to highlight the importance of having a working smoke alarm and carrying out weekly checks to ensure it works.
Results from the Government’s Fire Kills campaign shows many Londoners misunderstand the dangers toxic smoke. Of those surveyed:
- 50% believe they could survive for more than two minutes in a smoke filled room;
- 44% think they would be alerted to a fire by the smell of the smoke.
- 14% believe a pet (e.g. their dog barking), or someone else would alert them to a house fire.
The Brigade warns “in reality the only way to buy vital time to escape from a house fire is by having a working smoke alarm.”
Assistant Commissioner for Community Safety Andy Barrett said: “Most people have no idea how poisonous smoke from a house fire can be – literally a couple of breaths can make you unconscious. Most people wouldn’t survive longer than two minutes in a smoke filled room.”
For more information about fire safety, visit http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/
