National battery retailer Battery World is reminding householders to change their smoke alarm batteries when they change their clocks at the end of daylight savings on April 3.
Battery World general manager John Pascoe said smoke alarm batteries should be replaced with long-lasting alkaline batteries at the end of the period each year.
“Household smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in the event of a fire, but only working smoke alarms save lives,” he said.
“Changing the batteries at the end of daylight savings is a great way to ensure the devices work and people have the early warning needed to safely escape a fire in the home.”
According to the Duracell National Fire Safety Report, around 11,000 house fires occur in Australia each year and one in five Australians will experience a house fire in their lifetime.
More than 50 deaths are recorded yearly as a result of accidental house fires.
Mr Pascoe said house fires were more common in winter months when people used fires and electrical equipment such as heaters and electric blankets.
“With summer behind us, now is the time to ensure our homes are safe for winter and fitted with fully functioning smoke alarms,” he said.
Householders should also test smoke alarm batteries monthly by pressing the test button.
