The Scottish Government has today, 19 August 2021, launched a nationwide media campaign, urging homeowners to install interlinked heat and smoke alarms before new fire safety laws come into effect.
The campaign is aiming to bring homeowners in line with the private rented sector and new-build homes, which must already meet these standards and prepare homeowners for new legislation that is to go live during February and will apply to every home regardless of the age of tenure.
Fire safety for homeowners
In partnership with Care and Repair Scotland, the Scottish Government plans to provide £500,000 to eligible elderly homeowners and those with a disability to aid with installation costs which, for a three-bedroom house requiring three smoke alarms, one heat alarm and one carbon monoxide detector, is estimated to cost an average of £220, without requiring the use of an electrician.
The Scottish Government has also provided the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service with £1 million to install alarms in owner-occupied homes which have been identified as high risk.
Having the earliest possible warning of a fire in the home can and has saved lives and property. Having interlinked alarms installed will allow everyone, anywhere in the house to act as quickly as possible.
The Scottish Government has provided financial support to our Home Fire Safety Visit programme, which will allow us to fit to the new standard in the homes of those identified through our robust criteria as being at higher risk. However, if we go to any property that has no detection, we will still provide a battery-operated stand-alone smoke detector and advise the occupant about the new standard for the fire and smoke alarms required by the legislation in all Scottish homes.
In February, Scotland will become the first UK nation to require every home to have interlinked fire alarms, which significantly reduce the risk of injury or death. If there is a fire in one room it will set off alarms throughout the property, giving residents more time to escape.
