Cheshire campaign success

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is celebrating today after the Government announced that it was bringing in new safety laws that will save dozens of lives a year.

The Government has declared new regulations that will make it compulsory for all landlords to fit a smoke alarm on every floor of a rented property. This follows a major national campaign led by Cheshire staff.

Cheshire's Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Mark Cashin, who is Chair of the Chief Fire Officers' Association's (CFOA) national Home Safety Committee said: "I am delighted that the Government has recognised the strength of the case we have put forward and the major improvements in public safety this simple step will bring about".

"While death and injuries from fires have reduced considerably in recent years, the majority of victims continue to be those who are most vulnerable, often living in private rented accommodation.

"The Government own impact assessment estimates that the changes will improve the safety of families and stop dozens of people from losing their lives to fire each year. The cost to landlords is small, with a ten year sealed alarm costing around £15.

Mr. Cashin added that Cheshire had been campaigning for the legislation to be introduced for over two years and had presented key evidence and research into the Government's national review of the issue.

"We are pleased that the Government has worked with the fire and rescue service to bring in these new laws which will save lives with minimal cost and impact on private landlords and businesses," he said.

The announcement was made by Fire Minister Penny Mordaunt, in her keynote speech to the annual Local Government Association's (LGA) fire conference.

The new regulations, which will come into force in October, require all landlords to fit smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in all private rented homes and have just been enacted by the Government as part of the Energy Act, which was given Royal Assent in December 2013.

The Government will now be working with the fire sector to develop a major awareness campaign focussed on landlords and tenants in advance of the new law.

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