§ Mr. CrausbyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to encourage people to install smoke detectors in their homes. [112316]
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§ Mr. Mike O'BrienSmoke detectors make a significant contribution to the protection of life and property from fire and we would want all households to have them.
Current Building Regulations require all new dwellings in England and Wales to have a smoke detector system installed. Publicity and education have in recent years helped raise smoke alarm ownership levels from less than 10 per cent. of households in 1987 to over 80 per cent. But we are determined to increase this further and the Home Office National Community Fire Safety Centre will be running a fresh campaign with the fire service later this year to reaffirm the value of smoke detectors in giving early warning in the event of fire.