SGIC Issues Warning for South Australians Without Smoke Alarms

SGIC research* has revealed almost one in five (18 per cent) South Australian householders continue to risk lives by deliberately disabling smoke alarms.

Australia (PRWEB) June 18, 2009 -- Research* from home insurance provider SGIC has revealed almost one in five (18 per cent) South Australian householders continue to risk lives by deliberately disabling smoke alarms.

According to the insurer's survey results, the most common reasons for disabling a smoke alarm was to stop it sounding while cooking (42 per cent), to silence the low battery alert (35 per cent), or because it goes off accidentally or too much (14 per cent).

Smoke alarms do save lives

Each winter, which is traditionally the worst time for house fires, we receive around 110 home insurance claims - so it's great to see that almost 94 per cent of South Australian homes have at least one.

While it's definitely a concern that many householders are disabling their smoke alarm, it they're installed correctly and maintained, the problems people have identified as the reason for switching off their smoke alarm may be stopped.

Make sure they're near bedrooms to alert you when sleeping, and near enough to the kitchen to alert you if cooking catches fire

If your alarm is going off so regularly that you feel the need to disable it, it may need to be relocated.

Unfortunately only around one in five of the survey respondents check their smoke alarm monthly, which means many battery-operated alarms may not be working

Householders - especially those with families - should be more proactive in their fire safety. This includes having discussions around what to do if there's an emergency and how they'll evacuate.

"Smoke alarms do save lives," Ms Jameson said. "Each winter, which is traditionally the worst time for house fires, we receive around 110 home insurance claims - so it's great to see that almost 94 per cent of South Australian homes have at least one."

"While it's definitely a concern that many householders are disabling their smoke alarm, it they're installed correctly and maintained, the problems people have identified as the reason for switching off their smoke alarm may be stopped."

Ms Jameson said householders needed to think practically about where they install their smoke alarms.

"Make sure they're near bedrooms to alert you when sleeping, and near enough to the kitchen to alert you if cooking catches fire," Ms Jameson said. "If your alarm is going off so regularly that you feel the need to disable it, it may need to be relocated."

Ms Jameson also encouraged householders to regularly check their smoke alarm to make sure it is working.

She said they should be checked once a month, but according to SGIC's survey 7 per cent never check and 34 per cent only check once a year.

"Unfortunately only around one in five of the survey respondents check their smoke alarm monthly, which means many battery-operated alarms may not be working," she said.

"Householders - especially those with families - should be more proactive in their fire safety. This includes having discussions around what to do if there's an emergency and how they'll evacuate."

To help prevent and be ready for a home fire, SGIC recommends all households:

*Based on Woolcott Research, February 2009

About SGIC
SGIC is a leading South Australian insurance provider that offers car insurance, home insurance quotes and more online.

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How Photoelectric Smoke Alarms can help solve the Nuisance Alarm Problem from Fire & Life Safety Consulting on Jun 18, 2009

In a recent Press release tilted, “SGIC Issues Warning for South Australians without Smoke Alarms," the following statements appear. "Research* from home insurance provider SGIC has revealed almost one in five (18 per cent) South Australian householders continue to risk lives by deliberately disabling smoke alarms.” According to the insurer's survey results, the most common reasons for disabling a smoke alarm was to stop it sounding while cooking (42 per cent), to silence the low battery alert (35 per cent), or because it goes off accidentally or too much (14 per cent)." This is similar to research in the United Stated that found the number one reason for disabled smoke alarms is nuisance alarms from cooking and that about 20% of all fire fatalities occur with disabled smoke alarms. What wasn’t mentioned in the press release is that there is a very simple solution to the problem; use photoelectric alarms instead of ionization alarms. Since 1998 the State of Massachusetts (USA) Building Code has mandated photoelectric smoke alarms near kitchens and bathrooms. Recently Massachusetts and Vermont have voted to restrict the use of ionization even further. Even fire officials in Australia have recognized the advantage of photoelectric smoke alarms. In their position paper on the issue they state, “Smoke alarms fitted with dual photo-electric / ionisation detectors are available. Householders may choose to install such alarms in lieu of photo-electric alarms. However, research indicates that they are more costly and prone to more false alarms than photo-electric alarms, and the benefits are marginal.” http://www.afac.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/3674/AFACSmokeAlarmposition1June2006.pdf Even the smoke alarm manufacturers are aware of this benefit. (They just do not publicize it.) When discussing photoelectric alarms they state, “Use in kitchens, living areas and bedrooms and corridors that lead to exits. Suitable for detecting slow smouldering and other fires.” http://www.kidde.com.au/utcfs/ws-1459/Assets/Smoke%20alarm%20FAQ.pdf The Kidde website in Australia used to have the following information posted. (It appears to have been removed recently.) “The ionization alarm is designed to detect invisible particles of combustion, as small as .01 micron. Particles this small cannot be seen by the human eye. Ionization alarms, because of their sensing mechanism, cannot tell the difference between particles of combustion, dust, very small bugs, and possibly even paint fumes and steam. So opening a gas oven, cooking toast, a new gas heater or an open fireplace can quite easily result in causing a false alarm in an ionization unit.” Studies in the US have indicated that the use of photoelectric technology could reduce nuisance alarms by 75%. This could save hundreds of lives at very little increased cost. For more information go to, http://firelifesafetyconsulting.org/smoke%20alarms.pdf

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