Free island-wide smoke alarm plan

A long-life battery would avoid the need for annual replacement

Free smoke alarms could be available to everyone living in Guernsey, regardless of age or status, under a scheme proposed by the island's fire service.

Guernsey's Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP) said nearly 3,000 have been provided for people over 60 since 1997.

The smoke alarms, with long-life sealed batteries, would be fitted as part of home fire safety checks.

The IRMP also shows the lowest level of fires in the island since accurate records began nearly 40 years ago.

There were 173 reported fires in 2007 - well below the 33-year average of 246.

The report said figures could fluctuate because of weather conditions and the poor weather this summer had contributed to the fall in undergrowth fires.

Road accidents also fell from 103 six years ago to 77 in 2007.