Risk news

Every level of a property should be fitted with a smoke alarm to provide an early warning in the event of a fire.

This is the view of Andy Hickmott, London Fire Brigade's (LFB's) assistant commissioner for community safety, who issued the guidance in advance of National No Smoking Day on March 10th 2010.

As well as posing a risk to health, smoking is also a potential fire hazard. Households with a smoker are almost one and a half times more likely to suffer a blaze than non-smoking properties.

Mr Hickmott said that people who are not prepared to give up the habit should at least ensure that every floor of their property has a smoke alarm which works properly.

"Financially you've got no excuse - a basic smoke alarm costs the same price as a packet of cigarettes," he pointed out.

Last week, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service issued a similar warning to smokers.

Some 132 people were killed in accidental fires caused by smoking materials in the conurbation between 2000 and 2005, it revealed.

All employers are legally required to carry out fire risk assessments. The toolkit that is supplied guides you step by step through the fire risk assessment process.