Avon Fire and Rescue are warning local residents to test their smoke alarms when they change their clocks on Sunday 30th March.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) is supporting a campaign encouraging householders to make sure their smoke alarms are working.
Station Manager, Martyn Bolt, said: “Smoke alarms save lives, but only if they are working. When you are changing your clocks we’re asking you to take an extra few minutes to test your smoke alarms at the same time.
“Sunday 30th March is also Mother’s Day so why not make sure your mum’s smoke alarm is working? If you are a mum yourself, test it with your children.
“It’s a quick and simple task and could literally save your life one day, giving you vital extra minutes to escape the property, especially at night.”
In the UK, householders are more than four times as likely to die in a fire if smoke alarms aren’t working.
Martyn added: “We know that smoke alarms are sometimes frustrating if they go off when you burn the toast, so it may be tempting to remove the batteries. If that’s a familiar story make today the day you replace them or fit a new alarm.
“A little inconvenience is a price worth paying if it means you escape from a fire.”
The national Fire Kills campaign is being supported by a film on You Tube as well as newspaper and radio advertising. You can see the film at www.avonfire.gov.uk
On the website you will also find details of AF&RS’s Home Fire Safety Visit service where crews may visit the homes of the most vulnerable members of the community to provide fire safety advice and fit smoke alarms if required.
For more information call Avon Fire & Rescue Service on 0117 926 2061.
You can help keep yourself and loved ones safe in the home by following these simple steps:
- Make sure you fit a smoke alarm on every level of your home and test them regularly.
- Make testing your smoke alarm part of your weekly household routine. Check the alarm by pressing the button.
- Never remove the battery from your alarm.
- Make sure that everyone in your home knows what to do in a fire and practise your escape route.
- If you have a fire, get out, stay out and call 999.
