Smoke alarm battery alert

THE end of daylight savings this Sunday is the perfect opportunity to ensure household smoke alarms are properly working.
Cranbourne CFA fire officer Tom Hoppner said the humble smoke alarm was the most important battery operated device in a house.
“We encourage the use of a long-lasting alkaline battery in smoke alarms and when batteries in clocks around the home go flat, use it as another opportunity to test your smoke alarms,” he said.
As the winter months approach clocks need to be turned back one hour at 3am on Sunday morning, marking the end of daylight savings. Mr Hoppner said winter is traditionally a high-risk time for household fires and urged residents to check and change their smoke alarms batteries this weekend.
“Ensuring that smoke alarms are in working order is just as important as having them in the first place,” he said.
Despite laws requiring every household to have a smoke alarm installed, many are not in working order because batteries have been removed or have gone flat.
Fire services estimate that about 20 per cent of Victorian households have not replaced their smoke alarm battery in the last 12 months. Holt MP Anthony Byrne encouraged local families to not only check their own smoke alarms, but be aware of neighbours who might need a helping hand. “We can also think of others in our community who may need help changing their batteries, particularly the elderly who might struggle to get up a ladder to reach their smoke alarms,” he said.