"Change your clocks this weekend and check your smoke alarms"

"Change your clocks this weekend and check your smoke alarms", says Fire and Rescue Service.

'Change your clocks this weekend and check your fire alarms'; that is the message from the County Fire Officer of Greater Manchester Steve McGuirk.

He said: “With daylight hours now getting shorter and people spending more time in the home, what better time than now to check those small items in your home which could save you or your family's lives?

“Smoke alarms were responsible for detecting many of the 2421 accidental house fires we attended last year in Greater Manchester and have saved many lives in these fires. But to save lives smoke alarms must be checked regularly to ensure they are working."

Smoke alarms cost less than £5 and are available in DIY stores and at many supermarkets. They should meet the BS5446 Part 1 standard, have a 'KITEMARK' and should be fitted in accordance with the instructions provided. 10-year smoke alarms are also available.

Looking after a smoke alarm:

Once a year – Change your battery (unless it's a 10-year alarm).

Once a week – Check the alarm by pressing the button.

Twice a year – Vacuum and wipe the smoke alarm casing to ensure dust isn’t blocking the sensor chamber. (For mains wired alarms, switch off first.)

Never remove the battery to use it for other purposes.

Steve McGuirk said: “We know that smoke alarms save lives. They can give you and your family the necessary warning to get out in the early stages of a fire which should, in turn, allow us to get to you more quickly. Once fitted they do require testing and some simple cleaning. The one sombre message I would leave you with is dead batteries can be replaced, dead families cannot.”