Smoke detectors save lives: This is how often the fire department in Schwerin is called out!

Smoke detectors save lives: This is how often the fire department in Schwerin is called out!

How often does the fire department respond to a false alarm? This question concerns not only the emergency services in Schwerin, but also the citizens, whose home smoke detectors often go off for no reason. Similar to other cities, the number of false alarms has increased due to the mandatory installation of smoke detectors. A current incident from Schwerin's Weststadt shows that a tenant lost sight of his stove while cooking. When the fire brigade arrived, they were able to prevent something worse from happening, but such operations are becoming more and more frequent.

Dr. Stephan Jakobi, head of the Schwerin professional fire department, emphasizes the life-saving function of home smoke detectors. This is also supported by statistics: Over the last 15 years, the number of extensive house fires in Schwerin has fallen from over 20 to fewer than 10. Nationwide, the number of fire victims has fallen by around a third since the introduction of compulsory smoke detectors. Nevertheless, last year alone there were 96 missions by the Schwerin fire department, which responded without a fire due to smoke detector signals. In only 15 cases was there a solid reason to intervene.

The challenge of false alarms

How do these false alarms happen? It is often water vapor or dust that triggers the devices. In Hamburg, the number of false alarms rose from 605 in 2010 to 1,405 in 2015. In Rostock, too, there were 159 false alarms from home smoke detectors in 2024, while there were only 60 real fire reports. The fire brigade's daily business often consists of investigating active smoke alarms, even if this means breaking down apartment doors. A situation that is tense not only for the emergency services, but also for the neighbors.

The regulations are clear: operators of smoke detectors are generally not liable for unnecessary use. However, they can be held responsible for damage caused by the fire department when they break in. This raises the question of how good the devices actually are. A high-quality smoke detector that reduces the risk of false alarms is available from just 20 euros and can therefore reduce potential false alarms.

The importance of fire alarm systems

Another aspect is the fire alarm systems, which are directly connected to the rescue control center. There are around 120 such systems in Schwerin, most of which are installed in companies and authorities. In 2024, 139 alerts were registered, 102 of which were without any apparent reason. When these alarms occur, the fire department usually deploys a whole fire department, sometimes even two if the alarm warrants it. False alarms are unavoidable here, but they are an important part of fire protection and protecting human lives.

The Federal Statistical Office states that over the last 30 years, the number of fire deaths in Germany has fallen from 787 in 1990 to 388 in 2020. However, this number is not complete as subsequent hospital deaths from smoke inhalation or injuries are often not recorded. Although the number of deaths is falling, fire and explosion operations have been increasing again since 2014. This shows that the challenges in fire protection are still present.

Overall, it is essential that citizens quickly notify the fire department when alarms occur in order to save lives in an emergency. Incorrect alarms are annoying, but they are also a sign that safety precautions are taken seriously and those involved on the fire protection front are always vigilant.

For more information on this topic, it is worth taking a look at the reporting from Northern Courier, Test.de and Smoke detector lifesaver.