Check fire alarms when clocks change

With the tagline ‘tick, tock, test’, the fire service is hoping people will be reminded to test smoke alarms at this time of year and at regular intervals.

With 211 people dying in fires in the home last year, and more than 70 per cent of these people not being alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm, the fire service said it is essential that people test their smoke alarms regularly.

Alistair Evans, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s community risk manager, said: “Tick, tock, test is straight talking, easy to remember and intrinsically links clock change weekend to testing your smoke alarm.

“Everyone soon notices when a clock stops ticking, but it’s not so easy to be sure that your smoke alarm is still in working order.

“By pushing the ‘test’ button on every smoke alarm, you could save the lives of your nearest and dearest – children, parents and friends alike.”