Firefighters from Avon Fire & Rescue Service are reminding people to check the batteries in their smoke alarms when they change their clocks back for winter.
British Summer Time ends on Sunday 26th October with the clocks being put back one hour.
The changing of clocks can provide households with a timely reminder to fit smoke alarms or check the batteries in their existing alarms.
Smoke alarms save lives, but only if they work. With 211 people dying in fires in the home last year, and over 70% not being alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm, it is essential that people test their smoke alarms regularly.
A hard-hitting film has been made to help promote the message further. It can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir2bekewg-8&list=PL16540F1E4C131181.
AF&RS Station Manager for Community Safety, Steve Imrie, said: “Statistics show you are four times more likely to die in a house fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm.
“We would encourage everyone to check their smoke alarms regularly as part of their weekly cleaning routine. It’s one of the jobs that often gets forgotten, but it just takes a minute and it could save your life.
“While you are going around the house changing clocks, please just take a minute to test your smoke alarms at the same time.”
Smoke alarms provide a warning that fire has broken out and could give occupants of a house vital extra minutes to escape, especially at night.
Just two or three breaths of toxic smoke from a fire can cause a person to lose consciousness.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service carries out Home Fire Safety Visits where firefighters visit homes to discuss fire safety measures and fit smoke alarms for free where required.
