Over just two days - Tuesday 20 and Thursday 22 May - more than 125 uniformed firefighters from Kent Fire and Rescue Service knocked on thousands of doors across the county with one vital question: “Is your smoke alarm working?”

The visits were part of KFRS’s ongoing Home Fire Safety initiative, which aims to reduce fire risk by helping people check, test, or install working smoke alarms in their homes.

During the two-day campaign, firefighters installed 330 smoke alarms free of charge and delivered tailored safety advice to hundreds of households. Each visit lasted around ten minutes and included testing existing alarms, relocating them if needed, and installing new ones when necessary.

Tom Harvey, Station Manager - Service Delivery, for KFRS said:

“These visits are incredibly important, not just in helping more people stay safe from fire, but also in getting to know the communities we serve. We’ve met many welcoming people who have learned of the risks that come without a smoke alarm, and we’ve installed them where needed - free of charge of course!

“This week has been immensely successful, but there’s always more to do when it comes to staying safe. The more people take precautions themselves, the better for all of us, and that can start with arranging a Home Fire Safety on the Kent Fire and Rescue Service website.”

From May 2024 to April 2025, KFRS visited over 15,000 homes across Kent and Medway as part of this free service.

Residents who received visits last week spoke highly of the experience.

Jatinder Saini from Forge Lane, Chatham, said:
“It’s a wonderful effort by the fire service. I knew I needed new alarms, so having them installed for free was incredibly helpful. I really appreciate it.”

Jasmin Eusell from Parr Avenue, Gillingham, added:
“It was a godsend. I was planning to buy three alarms—one for each floor—so this saved me money. The firefighters also explained what to do in a fire. They were so friendly, it was a big weight off my mind.”

These recent visits are part of a wider, year-round effort by KFRS to reduce fire risks at home. More visits are planned across Kent and Medway throughout the year.

Home Fire Safety Visits are an important part of a firefighter's role, when they aren’t responding to emergencies. So, residents that didn’t get a knock the door on last week, may be visited another day.

In addition, KFRS offers Safe and Well visits for people who may be more at risk from fire, including those over 70, people with long-term health conditions, smokers, families with young children, and expectant mothers. Call the team on 0800 923 7000 to find out more and book.