New Research Shows Western Australians Disabling Smoke Alarms

SGIO research* has revealed Western Australians are more likely to disable their smoke alarms than people in other Australian states.

Perth, WA (PRWEB) June 18, 2009 -- Research* from home contents insurance provider SGIO has revealed Western Australians are more likely to disable their smoke alarms than people in other Australian states.

More than one in three (36 per cent) WA residents surveyed admitted to intentionally disabling their smoke alarms, compared to one in four nationally (25 per cent).

We're most likely to disable smoke alarms due to the alarm going off while cooking (52 per cent) or the low battery warning sounding (24 per cent)

By installing smoke alarms close to bedrooms and away from the kitchen, maintaining them regularly, hopefully many of the problems we have with them can be stopped.

Checking every month is ideal, however nearly one in ten of us (9 per cent) never check and 45 per cent only check once a year on average

Unfortunately less than one in five of us (17 per cent) check our smoke alarms weekly or monthly, which means many battery operated alarms may not be working at all.

"We're most likely to disable smoke alarms due to the alarm going off while cooking (52 per cent) or the low battery warning sounding (24 per cent)," said Mr Tierney.

"By installing smoke alarms close to bedrooms and away from the kitchen, maintaining them regularly, hopefully many of the problems we have with them can be stopped."

The survey also found that 25-34 years olds we far more likely to intentionally disable their smoke alarm (40 per cent) than other age demographics (23 per cent on average).

Mr Tierney encouraged all WA households to regularly check to see if their smoke alarm was working.

"Checking every month is ideal, however nearly one in ten of us (9 per cent) never check and 45 per cent only check once a year on average," he said.

"Unfortunately less than one in five of us (17 per cent) check our smoke alarms weekly or monthly, which means many battery operated alarms may not be working at all."

SGIO receives around 70 home insurance claims for home fires every month. To help prevent and be ready for a home fire, SGIO recommends that all households:

*Based on Woolcott Research, February 2009

About SGIO
SGIO is a leading Western Australian insurance provider offering home insurance quotes, car insurance and motor insurance online.

Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722 trading as SGIO For many insurance products a Product Disclosure Statement is available from SGIO which you should consider before making decisions about those products. Insurance issued by Insurance Australia Limited trading as SGIO 46 Colin St, West Perth, Western Australia 6005. sgio.com.au

###

Post Comment:
Trackback URL: http://www.prweb.com/pingpr.php/WmV0YS1TcXVhLVNxdWEtRmFsdS1JbnNlLUNvdXAtWmVybw==

sgio sgio insurance wa western australia smoke alarm comprehensive insurance insurance policy home safety home and contents

Bookmark -  Del.icio.us | Furl It | Technorati | Ask | MyWeb | Propeller | Live Bookmarks | Newsvine | TailRank | Reddit | Slashdot | Digg | Stumbleupon | Google Bookmarks | Sphere | Blink It | Spurl

• New NRMA Insurance research shows kangaroos are collision risk for drivers 2009-08-11
• NRMA Insurance Research Shows New Cars Less Likely to be a Pain in the Neck 2009-08-01
• SGIO Testing Reveals New Head Restraints Cutting Chances of Whiplash 2009-08-01
• SGIC Praises New Head Restraints for Reducing Whiplash 2009-08-01
• New Research Shows New Car Shoppers Less Likely to Suffer Whiplash 2009-08-01