1 March 2008

Change your clocks and check your smoke alarms

With Spring upon us and the start of pleasant lighter nights, the message from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is check your smoke alarm. Without a working smoke alarm the risk of being injured or killed by fire is much greater.

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service offers the following advice for looking after your smoke alarm:

1. Once a year - Change your battery (unless it's a 10-year alarm).
2. Once a week - Check the alarm by pressing the button.
3. 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.)

Whatever happens - never remove the battery from your smoke alarm to use it for other purposes.

Smoke alarms save lives. They can give you and your family warning to get out of a building in the early stages of a fire.

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service can offer free smoke alarms and fire safety advice. For further information contact the Community Safety Team on 0800 1777069.