Westhoek (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Westhoek Fire Department initiated an internet-based review process to determine residential smoke detector installations throughout the area. A smoke detector emits loud signals when it senses smoke, which gives you time to evacuate your home before contacting the fire department.
The Westhoek Fire Department has launched an online survey titled “The Big Smoke Detector Test” to assess how many smoke detectors are installed in homes across the region.
The early detection of fires depends heavily on smoke detectors because they produce loud alarms when smoke is detected, thus enabling safe evacuation and service alerts. Despite their importance, many households still lack these devices. The survey seeks data about present smoke detectors in residential settings to develop new fire protection strategies across the local area.
“National figures from 2018 show that 71 % of Belgians have a smoke detector in their home,”
Says Kristof Louagie of Brandweer Westhoek.
“That is far from sufficient. Especially when you know that smoke detectors have been mandatory in every Flemish home since 2020.”
The fire department, therefore, wants to compare the results of the survey with the national figures afterwards in order to see how many smoke detectors are in the region.
“We also want to be sure that all smoke detectors are in the right place, because that is also important.”
What is the current status of smoke detector usage in Belgium?
Every Flemish household needs smoke detectors, according to 2020 legislation, yet statistics from 2018 show that only 71% of Belgians have this essential equipment. The national data shows widespread non-compliance with legal requirements concerning smoke detectors, even though these devices serve major functions in preventing fires.
Smoke detectors help residents identify dangerous fire situations by warning them when they detect smoke, which enables fast evacuation and emergency service calls. The Westhoek Fire Department’s survey conducts an assessment to measure regional adoption rates of smoke detectors while ensuring detector placement is correct. This initiative supports national fire safety awareness campaigns and the reduction of fire-associated risks.
