WITH the end of the daylight saving fast approaching, local fire services are reminding people to complete one simple chore that could save lives.
As part of the long-running Change Your Clock, Change Your Smoke Alarm Battery campaign, the Swan Hill CFA has asked residents across the municipality to change the battery in their smoke alarms when they wind their clocks back on Sunday.
Swan Hill CFA community engagement facilitator Dianne Jones said smoke alarms provided an essential early warning and time to evacuate safely — when they’re working.
“Many families owe their lives to working smoke alarms,” she said.
“You can’t smell smoke when you’re asleep, so smoke alarms are your only warning system. A smoke alarm that’s not working is useless.”
Ms Jones said householders should keep detectors in good order by testing them weekly, cleaning them at least a couple of times a year and changing the battery in line with daylight saving.
“It’s easier to remember when there is something like daylight saving to trigger you.”
Figures show people in households without a working smoke alarm are four times more likely to die in a house fire.
There are over 3000 house fires each year in Victoria.
