Smoke Emergency Announced for June 13, 2025 in VdF-NRW; Property Owner Fails to Comply with Duty to Report Smoke Incidents
The Association of Fire Departments in NRW e.V., a leading organisation dedicated to fire safety, is once again emphasising the importance of smoke alarms through its annual event, Smoke Alarm Day. This recurring event, often held on the unlucky Friday the 13th, aims to raise public awareness about the crucial role of smoke alarms in emergency situations.
In the event of a residential fire, it's not the fire itself that poses the greatest danger, but the toxic smoke. A timely warning provided by smoke alarms can save lives and minimize the consequences of a fire. Just three breaths of smoke can be fatal, especially at night when the sense of smell is inactive.
Smoke alarms are the most effective measure to warn people in their sleep in the event of a fire. They detect dangerous smoke early and give residents valuable seconds to escape. Despite this, around a quarter of owners of self-occupied residential properties have not equipped their apartments with sufficient smoke alarms.
This lack of smoke alarms leaves a significant portion of the population unprotected, despite clear legal requirements. In the 16 federal states of Germany, there is a legal requirement for smoke alarms in all residential properties. Smoke alarms should be placed in bedrooms, children's rooms, and corridors that serve as escape routes.
VdF NRW and Provinzial Insurance urge homeowners to check their living spaces for sufficient smoke alarms and retrofit them if necessary. Christoph Dohr, head of the damage prevention and risk assessment department at Provinzial Insurance, emphasises that installing and maintaining smoke alarms is a crucial contribution to safety.
Maria Marschner, a spokesperson for fire safety education and awareness from VdF NRW, explains that many owners believe they are not directly affected by the legal requirement or simply underestimate the risk. The organisation particularly highlighted owners of self-occupied apartments as a risky target group on the National Smoke Detector Day 2021 in Germany, due to nearly a quarter of them still lacking sufficient smoke detectors.
Regular maintenance and replacement of smoke alarms every ten years is crucial. A well-functioning smoke alarm is the first line of defence against the dangers of fire. For more information about Smoke Alarm Day or to direct press inquiries, contact Maria Marschner at [email protected] or visit http://www.vdf.nrw for more information.
Smoke Alarm Day is organised by the Association of Fire Departments in NRW e.V. to raise public awareness about the importance of smoke alarms. The event serves as a reminder that every home should be equipped with these life-saving devices, ensuring the safety of its inhabitants and minimising the potential damage from a fire.
