A fire safety campaign has launched after students triggered 77 false fire alarm callouts in a single year across Newcastle according to figures obtained by JesmondLocal through the Freedom of Information Act.

Data released by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service shows that between November 2024 and October 2025, emergency crews were repeatedly called to student accommodation, including houses of multiple occupation (HMO) in Jesmond, for incidents later found to be false alarms.

The majority were caused by everyday activities, most commonly cooking and burnt food.

Cooking-related incidents were the leading cause, accounting for 28 false alarms over the 12-month period.

These incidents peaked in October, when five alarms were activated, and again in March, with four recorded callouts.

A further eight incidents were attributed to careless or accidental activations by students.

Other preventable causes included chemicals and aerosols such as deodorant sprays, which triggered six alarms.

Smaller numbers of callouts were linked to steam, smoking indoors, dust and water intrusion, while several incidents were recorded with the cause listed as unknown.

Monthly figures show a clear pattern across the academic year.

October was the busiest month, with 13 false alarms, followed by March, which saw nine incidents.

By contrast, July and August recorded comparatively low numbers of callouts, coinciding with the summer period when many students are away from the city.

A spokesperson for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service told JesmondLocal the service had run a campaign on the issue earlier in the year and had circulated a press release which, they said, addressed the questions raised.

The campaign includes posters promoting fire safety awareness have been displayed across Newcastle, including on Newcastle University’s campus, around the city centre and on Metro trains.

The campaign urges students to take greater care when cooking and to be mindful of actions that could trigger alarms.

Fire officials have repeatedly warned that false fire alarms place a significant financial burden on emergency services.

According to figures reported by the BBC, false alarms cost the fire service an estimated £225,000 a year, equating to approximately £616 per day.

Beyond the financial impact, fire services stress that false alarms divert crews away from genuine emergencies, potentially delaying responses where lives may be at risk.

The campaign is aimed at reducing avoidable callouts by encouraging students to adopt safer habits in their day-to-day routines.