Replace smoke alarm batteries

THE Country Fire Authority and Melbourne Fire Brigade are reminding Victorians to change their smoke alarm batteries with the end of daylight saving.
In 2007, fire services recorded more than 11,000 residential fires nationally, resulting in 70 deaths, 19 in Victoria.
“Most of these deaths could have been prevented if the households had working smoke alarms,” CFA manager community development Gwynne Brennan said.
Research by the Australasian Fire Authorities Councils found that the absence of a smoke alarm could increase the possibility of a fatality by 60 per cent.
The CFA and MFB recommends testing of smoke alarms weekly by pressing the test button with a broom handle, dusting the alarm with a vacuum cleaner brush, replacing the battery annually, installing a smoke alarm outside the sleeping areas on every level of a house, and installing a smoke alarm in bedrooms if people sleep with their doors closed.