AIBU to think every home should have a smoke alaem?

[iggi999]

Have just discovered/noticed that PIL do not have a smoke alarm. They live in a first floor flat and are both smokers, as well as having all the electrical appliances you might expect.
never even crossed my mind they wouldn't have one, but it came up tonight. They have given me lots of reasons why their house will never go on fire as a reason for not having one!

That's such a sad story, Cattleprod.
It sounds mad for me to say I won't stay there again as I've slept over there on and off for the last ten years! No idea why I didn't notice before, I just thought everyone had one, IYSWIM.

I was told by a fireman of a story where the fire brigade were at a house fire 40 seconds after the alarm was raised. Amazingly, they were just passing the end of the street when they got the call. By the time they arrived, everyone in the building had died. :( There were no fire alarms, and everyone had been knocked out by the fumes, so it wasn't until the neighbours saw that anyone called 999. :(

I can't believe that anyone would voluntarily go without something that would save their lives.

Of course they should!

However it never fails to astonish me that my rental properties are required to have mains operated, battery backed up smoke alarms in every room and passageway, and special ones in the kitchen, yet council houses with families and young children have no such legal requirement.

I've had a very close call in a house fire situation - passed out from smoke inhalation! Seriously all homes should have them. Also make sure you can open your exit doors without needing keys. You will not have time to look for/use keys in a situation where your house is on fire. There doesn't have to be lots of flames - the smoke will get you long before they will.

Just imagine having cotton wool stuffed into your mouth, nose and eyes right NOW. You can't breathe or see. Now get those keys from the hall table, unlock the door and get the kids out - miracle if you can.