Drive to cut house fire deaths

The death toll from house fires has risen to 730 last year

Home Secretary Jack Straw is launching a hard-hitting TV campaign to cut the number of deaths and injuries caused by house fires.

For the last three years the number of deaths caused by house fires has risen steadily, with 730 last year compared to 709 in 1996.

The ads will urge people to install smoke alarms and also to ensure they are well maintained.

"It is appalling that so many fires could easily have been prevented if people looked after their smoke alarms," said Mr Straw.

"You are 12 times more likely to die if you do not have a smoke alarm than if you do. An alarm that is not working is worse than not having an alarm at all. It gives a false sense of security."

Victims support campaign

The first commercial hits TV screens on Boxing Day and highlights the devastating effect on a family after a child dies in a house fire.

It ends: "It's a lot easier to replace a dead battery."

Figures for last year showed that 83 people died in fires where an alarm was fitted but failed to work - nearly double the number in 1994. There were a further 1,827 injuries in fires in houses with non-functioning alarms.

In 54% of these cases, the battery had been removed and in a further 10% the battery had run out of power. The campaign is supported by victims of house fires.

Rosemary Elliott-Sands, whose seven-month-old daughter Christina died in a fire that gutted the family home early one Christmas Day.

'Silent protector'

The house was not fitted with a smoke alarm and by the time they realised what was happening, it was too late to rescue the baby from her room.

"I had never experienced such terror. I was all alone. I didn't know what to do. There was so much smoke I couldn't see anything and I couldn't find my babies," she said.

"I would advise everyone to buy a smoke alarm and look after it. Until it's needed, it's your silent protector."

Householders are advised to look after alarms by testing the battery once a month, changing the battery and cleaning out any dust once a year.