THE shorter days and longer nights of winter have arrived again – and the fire service has called for residents to check their smoke alarms when changing their clocks. The clocks go back at 1am Sunday and to coincide with the event Graham Stagg, chief fir

THE shorter days and longer nights of winter have arrived again - and the fire service has called for residents to check their smoke alarms when changing their clocks.

The clocks go back at 1am Sunday and to coincide with the event Graham Stagg, chief fire officer, pleaded for people to not forget smoke alarms.

He said: "Dark evenings are upon us and as the clocks go back next Sunday many people will be thinking about keeping warm, lighting central heating boilers and turning on electric blankets. Whilst preparing for winter, please don't forget to check your smoke alarm.

"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.

"Dead batteries in a smoke alarm can be replaced, the lives of you and your family cannot."

Smoke alarms require regular testing and cleaning. The fire service says residents should follow the following routine.

1. Once a week - Check the alarm by pressing the button.

2. Once a year - Change your battery (unless it is a 10-year alarm).

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).

4. Whatever happens - never remove the battery to use it for other purposes.

Firefighters can visit for a free home fire safety check. For more information, or to book a check, call 01480 444666 and quote code PSO.