NRMA Insurance Research Shows Queenslanders Risking Their Lives by Disabling Smoke Alarms

NRMA Insurance research has revealed around one in six Queensland households continue to risk lives by deliberately disabling their smoke alarms.

Brisbane, QLD (PRWEB) June 6, 2009 -- Research* from home insurance provider NRMA Insurance has revealed around one in six Queensland households continue to risk lives by deliberately disabling their smoke alarms.

The most common excuse (80 per cent) is that the alarm keeps going off while cooking, while others (16 per cent) say they tamper with their smoke alarm because the low-battery warning noise is annoying or because it plays up.

Queenslanders have one of the highest rates of smoke alarm installation in the country

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.

The risk of death from a house fire is up to three times higher in homes without smoke alarms when compared to homes with smoke alarms, but only working smoke alarms can save lives

By disabling your smoke alarm, you are seriously endangering your loved ones' lives.

"Queenslanders have one of the highest rates of smoke alarm installation in the country," he said.

"But the law is there to help save lives not sell smoke alarms. We need to be sensible when we place our smoke alarms around our homes or apartments.

"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."

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) Commissioner Lee Johnson said smoke alarms had been compulsory in all Queensland dwellings since July 1, 2007.

"The risk of death from a house fire is up to three times higher in homes without smoke alarms when compared to homes with smoke alarms, but only working smoke alarms can save lives," he said.

"By disabling your smoke alarm, you are seriously endangering your loved ones' lives."

To take the worry out of fire safety, home insurance provider NRMA Insurance sponsors the Queensland Fire & Rescue Service Safehome program, a free check by fire-fighters to help households reduce the risk of fire and learn what to do if one occurs. The service also includes advice on selection, placement and maintenance of smoke alarms. To arrange your free Safehome visit phone 1300 369 003.

Information on smoke alarms is also available at www.fire.qld.gov.au

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