Safeguard your heritage property | Test your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers!

At Lloyd & Whyte Heritage, we believe in safeguarding what truly matters – your cherished memories, your beloved possessions, and, above all, the lives of your loved ones.

Amidst the warmth of hearths and the glow of family gatherings, lies the potential for unforeseen hazards. This is why regular testing of smoke alarms and inspections of fire extinguishers stand as paramount pillars in protecting the sanctity and safety of your home.

Positioning Smoke Alarms

Ideally, smoke alarms should be fitted in the middle of the ceiling in a room, in the hallway, and on the landing so that the alarm can be heard throughout the whole house. Smoke alarms shouldn’t be placed in kitchens or bathrooms because smoke from cooking, or steam from hot water can activate them.

Testing Smoke Alarms: Potentially Life-Saving

Imagine the tranquillity of your home abruptly interrupted by the shrill wail of a smoke alarm. In that fleeting moment, every second counts. Smoke alarms serve as vigilant sentinels, alerting us to the presence of smoke and potential fire hazards. However, their efficiency lies in their functionality, which is why routine testing is so important.

It is recommended to test smoke alarms at least once a month.¹ This simple process consists of pressing the test button, ensuring that the alarm emits a piercing sound.

Additionally, periodic cleaning to remove dust and debris ensures optimal performance. Moreover, the batteries powering these smoke alarms should be replaced annually, ensuring uninterrupted vigilance against fire threats.

Checking Fire Extinguishers: Safety First

In the event of a fire, a well-maintained fire extinguisher can be your first line of defence against disaster. Yet, its efficiency hinges upon meticulous inspection and upkeep. Regular checks, ideally conducted monthly, involve a comprehensive examination of its physical condition, pressure gauge, and expiry date.² Any signs of wear, leakage, or damage warrant immediate attention, ensuring that your extinguisher remains in optimum working order when the need arises.

Equally crucial is familiarising yourself and your family with the operation of fire extinguishers. Understanding the PASS technique – Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep – helps you swiftly respond to small fires, containing them before they escalate into larger conflagrations. Regular drills can further bolster preparedness, instilling confidence and proficiency in fire suppression techniques.

Carbon Monoxide: The ‘Silent Killer’

Entry through windows accounts for around 15% of burglaries in the UK.² Remove keys from locks and keep them out of sight. Check that all your doors and windows are secured, including garages, sheds, and patio doors. Inform your insurer if you have changed the locks on your windows or doors, or installed a cat or dog flap, as this could mean your policy needs updating.

Carbon monoxide cannot be seen, smelt, or tasted. A carbon monoxide alarm can alert you to what is often known as the ‘silent killer’. Installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home – ideally in the kitchen – could safeguard you against harmful and potentially deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.

In conclusion, the process of testing smoke alarms and checking fire extinguishers is not merely a mundane chore; it protects what is most precious to us – our family and home. Through vigilance and preparedness, we fortify our homes against the potential ravages of fire, ensuring that our heritage endures.

Checking and testing your smoke and fire extinguishers can be the difference between protecting or neglecting your property. If you’d like to discuss your thatched or listed home insurance with our team of experts, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Alternatively, email us at:

heritageclientsupport@lloydwhyte.com

What matters to you, matters to us

1. https://surreyfire.co.uk/how-often-should-fire-extinguishers-be-serviced/
2. https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/your-questions-answered/questions/how-often-should-i-test-my-smoke-detector/#:~:text=Ideally%20every%20week.&text=There%20should%20be%20a%20minimum,tested%20regularly%20%2D%20ideally%20every%20week

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