The beep you’ve been ignoring could save your life - test your smoke alarm today

We all recognise it. The faint chirp of a low-battery smoke alarm, just loud enough to spark a visceral reaction. You swear you’ll fix it tomorrow, but eventually you get used to it, absorbed into the house’s daily soundtrack.

As 2 February marks the start of Electrical Fire Safety Week, Electrical Safety First is raising awareness that the small sound you’ve been ignoring is the very thing that could one day save your life. 

The message is simple: working smoke alarms save lives. When they don’t work or simply aren't there at all, the risk becomes much higher. In fact, data shows that people living in homes without a working smoke alarm are 11 times more likely to die in a house fire than those with one that works properly1

Fire safety doesn’t have to mean big changes or complicated rules. Some of the most effective protection comes from small habits that fit naturally into everyday life. 

1. Start by practising fire drills at home: We do them at work, children practice them at school — yet they’re often overlooked at home. Making sure everyone knows how to get out, where to meet, and what not to do (such as hiding or going back for belongings) can make a real difference. Practising, especially with young children, helps build confidence, reduces panic, and lowers the risk of injury or death if a fire does break out.  

Another simple, but helpful, step is,2. Creating a nightly “close-down” routine:  This could include turning off and unplugging unused appliances, checking that heaters and candles are off, closing internal doors, and making sure smoke alarms are working. 

1. GOV.UK: Analysis of fires and response times to fires attended by Fire & Rescue services, England, April 2024 - March 2025