Nizhny Novgorod residents were explained how to increase home security for 500 rubles.

      June 14, 2026 09:16 Society Despite the fact that the number of man-made fires in the Nizhny Novgorod region has decreased by 23% since the beginning of 2026, the number of fatalities continues to rise. This was reported at a press conference by Sergey Bolshakov, the deputy chief state inspector of the Nizhny Novgorod region for fire supervision, Colonel of the Internal Service. According to him, the main causes of domestic fires remain the same: careless handling of fire, emergency operation of electrical equipment, and violations of heating appliance operation rules. At the same time, the representative of the Ministry of Emergency Situations believes that the problem lies not in a lack of information, but in people's attitude towards their own safety. According to sociological research data, autonomous smoke detectors are installed in only 28% of the population. Of these, 17% of residents purchased and installed the devices themselves, while another 11% received them along with their housing from the developer. The remaining 72% either do not know about such devices or are confident that a fire will not affect them. A device for 500 rubles that can save a life An autonomous smoke detector is designed for the early detection of fires. It reacts to smoke and emits a loud sound signal. Its operation is especially important at night when people are sleeping and may not notice the first signs of a fire. According to Sergey Bolshakov, the signal can wake not only the residents of the apartment or house but also the neighbors. The cost of such a device is low—about 500-600 rubles. "This is the cost of one or two business lunches," noted the representative of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Where to best install the detector Ideally, the detector should be in every room. If this is not possible, specialists recommend installing at least two devices—in the living room and in the kitchen. However, it is not advisable to place the detector near the stove or extractor fan. The device reacts even to a small amount of smoke or steam, so it may regularly trigger while cooking. If the battery starts to run low, the device warns the owner in advance with a characteristic signal. More than 50 people saved According to Sergey Bolshakov, over the past five years, thanks to the timely activation of autonomous detectors, more than 50 people have been saved in the Nizhny Novgorod region, including 17 children. Currently, there is a regional program in place to equip large families, low-income families, and those in difficult life situations with such devices. To date, about 95,000 detectors have been installed. One of the most striking examples mentioned by the Ministry of Emergency Situations is a case in the Vachsky district. In March 2023, detectors were installed in the home of one family, and by September, a fire occurred there. Thanks to the signal, eight people were saved, including six children. One detector is not enough The Ministry of Emergency Situations emphasizes that it is advisable to have not only a detector at home but also a fire extinguisher. The best option for an apartment, specialists say, is a powder fire extinguisher. It is suitable for extinguishing electrical equipment under voltage and can help deal with a fire in its early stages. However, it is important not only to purchase a fire extinguisher but also to understand in advance how to use it. "You also need to know how to use it," noted Sergey Bolshakov. Why you shouldn't leave gadgets charging overnight The topic of fires related to electric scooter batteries and other devices was also addressed at the press conference. According to Sergey Bolshakov, such cases do not happen often, but the danger exists. The cause of a fire can be a battery during charging. This applies not only to electric scooters but also to smartphones, power banks, children's toys, and other devices. The main rule, the Ministry of Emergency Situations reminds, is not to leave devices charging unattended, especially at night. "We do not recommend doing this; we are categorically against it," emphasized the agency's representative. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on the main events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+