Pensioners underrate threat of house fires

Almost 80 per cent of over 65s say it is "unlikely" there will be a life-threatening fire in their home – yet, nationwide, almost 1,700 people of this age group suffer injuries in such a fire each year.

The research also showed that 90 per cent of pensioners think they would realise there was a fire in their home and be able to escape, compared to only 60 per cent of 25- to 35-year-olds.

In South Yorkshire, since 2004, 151 people aged 65 or over have been killed or injured in an accidental house fire.

Steve Makepeace, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue's head of community safety, said: "What many people over the age of 65 don't realise is that just two to three breaths of toxic smoke could leave you unconscious.

"You have less than two minutes to escape in a fire before your lungs fill up with smoke and you can't breathe – so it's vital that as well as having a working smoke alarm, an escape route is planned and practised.

"Especially as, when you get older, it takes more time to evacuate your home safely."

Three-quarters of the pensioners surveyed also said they did not think it was necessary to test their smoke alarms every week.

Michelle Mitchell, Age UK's charity director, said: "It's shocking to hear that people over the age of 65 are more likely to die in a fire in their own home, compared to someone who is younger.

"It's therefore vital that we all take the steps to make sure we are doing what we can to prevent this from happening.

"Planning your escape route now, as well as testing your smoke alarm every week to check it works, are two important steps. If you are unable to test your own alarm, ask a family member or neighbour to do so for you."

To book a home fire safety check call 0114 2532314.