CONCERNS have been raised about the number of homes that don’t have working smoke alarms.

A community safety advisor from Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) has expressed concern following a week-long event at Crowngate Shopping Centre in Worcester to promote a range of safety issues in the home.

Becky Valender, community safety advisor, said: ”We had upwards of 1,500 visitors to our stand during the week and so this proved an extremely effective way of highlighting fire safety issues within the local community. We also had 33 householders sign up with us to have a home fire safety check, where a member of our team visits people at home at a time convenient to them to offer fire safety advice specific to their circumstances.”

She said that it was concerning that 21 of the households visited, equating to just under two thirds, did not have any smoke alarms fitted in their homes.

More information on home fire safety is available from the service’s website at hwfire.org.uk