Waterford Fire Service urges households to check smoke alarms

Waterford Fire Service is urging householders to prioritise fire safety after responding to more than 1,000 incidents in 2025, including 650 fires. 

Of those fires, more than 100 occurred in domestic buildings such as houses, apartments and mobile homes, prompting renewed advice to ensure homes are protected by smoke alarms. 

The service said every home should have smoke alarms, that they should be tested weekly, and that families should have a clear plan of action in the event of a fire. 

Fire officers have warned that people cannot rely on their sense of smell while asleep, as smoke can put a person into deeper sleep. Smoke inhalation can be fatal in under three minutes, making a working smoke alarm a vital early warning system. 

For maximum protection, Waterford Fire Service recommends fitting one smoke alarm in every room, except bathrooms and kitchens. 

Heat detectors may be considered for kitchens, where cooking fumes can trigger unwanted alarm activations 

At a minimum, there should be one smoke alarm on each floor or the floor of the home, located in the hallway and landing. 

Simple checks can reduce fire risk. The fire service said householders can help keep their families, friends, communities and homes safe by taking a number of basic precautions.

• Fit smoke alarms in rooms throughout the home, except bathrooms and garages.

• Have chimneys cleaned and heating systems serviced once a year.

• Always use a spark guard with open fires.

• Keep a suitable fire extinguisher and fire blanket in the kitchen.

• Empty ashtrays before going to bed, run contents under the tap before binning them, and never smoke in bed or while tired or on medication.

• Fix or replace faulty electrical appliances straight away.

• Avoid overloading sockets or extension leads.

• Do not leave devices charging overnight or unattended.

• Carry out a quick fire safety check before bedtime.

• Close all doors at night.

Electrical fire safety warning Waterford Fire Service also highlighted the growing fire safety considerations linked to electrical appliances and newer technologies in the home.

The increasing popularity of e-scooters, e-bikes and other battery-powered devices means more homes are using lithium-ion batteries, which require careful charging and storage.

• Use only the charger supplied with the device or an approved replacement.

• Charge outdoors where possible.

• Charge in a location that does not block escape routes.

• Unplug the device once it is fully charged.

• Supervise charging where possible.

Halloween and Christmas risks:

Major seasonal periods such as Halloween and Christmas often bring an increased risk of home fires due to additional fire loads and ignition sources, including candles and temporary festive lighting.

Halloween is a particularly busy time for Waterford Fire Service. Last year, Waterford fire brigades attended 20 bonfires and other outdoor fires on Halloween night and in the weeks leading up to it.

Bonfires can cause serious harm through burns, toxic smoke inhalation and injuries from exploding cylinders and canisters, and even now, more than ever with the recent drought, grasslands can easily catch fire.

Community and amenity areas can also be significantly damaged in the aftermath of such fires.

To help ensure a safe and injury-free Halloween, Waterford Fire Service advised people to supervise children near bonfires, keep them away from flames, and move away if items are being thrown onto a fire.

People decorating their homes are also urged to keep lit candles away from combustible decorations, check decorative lighting for damage, and stop using lights if they appear damaged or are overheating.

Fire Safety Week reminder: Fire Safety Week takes place each October and encourages the public to carry out routine fire safety checks, including a simple walk around the home before going to bed to look for obvious dangers.

The fire service said a bedtime check only takes a couple of minutes, but could mean the difference between life and death.

It is also reminding people of the STOP Fire steps: smoke alarms, test them weekly, look for obvious dangers such as overloaded sockets, and plan and practise an escape route regularly.