Up in smoke: 3.6 million Brits living without smoke alarms

4 min read
 
  • 3.6 million adults say their home doesn’t have a smoke alarm fitted
  • Less than one in four (24%) test their smoke alarms monthly, as recommended 
  • 41% of parents haven’t educated their children on what to do in a fire 
  • A quarter of Brits (27%) admit they have disconnected their smoke alarms from the mains or removed the batteries and 14% have covered them with a bag or other material.

 

New research from Direct Line home insurance1 reveals a worrying gap in home fire safety, as millions of Brits admit their home doesn’t have smoke alarms, and others don’t know if their smoke alarms are in working order. Whilst the majority (92%) of people say that their home does have smoke alarms, that leaves 3.6 million2 adults living in homes without them.

Of those with smoke alarms, just a quarter (24%) test them monthly as recommended by fire safety experts3. A further 3 million (6%) aren’t sure whether their smoke alarms work4, and 15.1 million (27%) only have them in one room.5

Worryingly, more than two fifths (41%) of parents say they haven’t educated their children on what to do in the event of a fire at home.  

Direct Line’s analysis of 2024/25 government fire data6 reveals the main reasons smoke alarms failed to operate in home fires that caused casualties. In 5% of cases, the smoke alarm had no battery or a defective battery. In a further 15% of cases, the fire was in part of the home not covered by smoke alarms or the fire did not reach the alarm (48%), showing the importance of having them in all rooms. In 3% of cases, the smoke alarms had been incorrectly installed, and in a further 4% they had been prevented from operating correctly.

Table one: Brits on fire education

Statement Percentage agreeing
I follow current smoke alarm guidance on smoke alarm placement and maintenance 63 per cent 
I know the correct safety procedures when my smoke alarm triggers in various scenarios 63 per cent
I am aware are current guidance on smoke alarm placement and maintenance 56 per cent 
I have educated my children about what to do in the event of a fire in the home 50 per cent

Source: Direct Line home insurance 2025 

Worryingly, more than a quarter of Brits (27%) admit that they have disconnected their smoke alarms from the mains or removed the batteries, nearly one fifth (18%) have ignored the alarm while it was going off, and 14% have covered their smoke alarm with a bag or other material.

Table two: Practical frustrations around fire alarms

Statement Percentage agreeing
I need to make use of a chair or stick to reset my smoke alarm 59 per cent
It is annoying when my smoke alarm triggers false alarms 53 per cent
I know that smoke alarms are important, but I find the smoke alarms in my home are sometimes annoying to deal with 39 per cent 
I often trigger my smoke alarm(s) by mistake 36 per cent
I find it difficult to reset my smoke alarm after an alarm triggers 28 per cent

Source: Direct Line home insurance 2025 

Beyond smoke alarms, the research reveals a lack of broader fire safety measures in British homes. Only a quarter of people (26%) have easy access to a fire extinguisher at home, one in five (20%) have a fire blanket in their kitchen, and just 1 in 17 (6%) have an escape ladder, which are all critical safety tools that could prove lifesaving in an emergency.

Dan Simson, Head of Direct Line Home Insurance, said: "Smoke alarms are your first line of defence in a fire, and it is crucial that they are in working order at all times. Many Brits do not have smoke alarms installed, and too many are failing to test them regularly, with nearly a fifth of people who have a smoke alarm not testing it in over six months. 

“With recent Aviva research7 finding that candle fires peak during the festive period, we urge all households to check their smoke alarms and to replace flat batteries promptly. Fire safety isn't just about having the equipment; it's about maintaining it to ensure the safety of people and property."

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors

  1. Research conducted by Opinium, amongst a representative sample of 2,000 UK adults, data collected between 05.12.2025 – 09.12.2025.  

  2. On a nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults, 132 say their home doesn't have a smoke alarm fitted. 132 / 2,000 * 55,022,253 (UK adult population) = 3,631,469 (shorthand 3.6 million)

  3. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62dac4038fa8f564a0d834a9/Fire_Safety_in_Flats_-_Web_accessible.pdf

  4. On a nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults, 109 are not confident their smoke alarm works. 109 / 2,000 * 55,022,253 (UK adult population) = 2,998,713 (shorthand 3 million)

  5. On a nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults, 548 have a fire alarm only in one room. 548 / 2,000 * 55,022,253 (UK adult population) = 15,076,097 (shorthand 15.1 million)

  6. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government fire statistics, 14 August 2025. England data only.  Table FIRE0601 available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/fire-statistics-data-tables#smoke-alarms  

  7. Households urged to take caution during festive season as candle fires spike in December - Aviva plc

 

For further information, please contact:

Unni Henry

PR Manager 

Email: unni.henry@directlinegroup.co.uk

 

About Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line and is part of the Aviva Group.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com