Remember to turn your clocks forward and test smoke alarms tomorrow (Sunday)
The fire service has sent out a reminder to people that working smoke alarms can save lives in the event of a fire, act as an early warning system and provide precious extra time to escape.
Despite making the effort to change their clocks to the right time when they go forward, the fire service said many people still fail to remember to test their smoke alarms on a regular basis.
Chris Bunyan, group manager for Prevention, said: “When you put your clocks forward this Sunday, it’s a good opportunity to take a few extra seconds to test your smoke alarms at the same time. We advise people to get into the habit of testing their smoke alarms regularly by making it part of their weekly household routine - for example, when they are doing the cleaning or putting the bins out.
“We will all lose an hour at the start of British Summer Time but testing your smoke alarm could save you from losing a lot more. Working smoke alarms save lives, so please make checking the batteries a priority.”
Simple steps to help keep everyone safe include:
• Fit smoke alarms to every level of your home
• Check they are working by pressing the button every week
• Change the battery every year (unless it is a ten-year alarm)
• Clean the alarm casing twice a year to ensure dust isn’t blocking the sensor
• Never remove the battery in your smoke alarm
• Make an escape plan in advance so that everyone knows the quickest and easiest way out of the house in an emergency
The Government’s Fire Kills campaign has launched a You Tube video to encourage people to test their smoke alarms when they change their clocks. To view it, visit www.rbfrs.co.uk