Every second person who dies in a house fire is over sixty.
With the change to daylight saving – clocks rolled forward an hour on Sunday, September 27 – now is a good time, says Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) to check your smoke alarms and those of others.
FENZ community education manager, Tom Ronaldson, is urging people in particular to look out for their loved ones, older relatives, friends and neighbours.
"Over the last five years we have seen an increase in the number of fatal fires involving people over the age of 60," Ronaldson says.
"People only have around three minutes to get out before a house fire becomes unsurvivable.
"To give yourself and your older family and friends the earliest possible warning, you need working smoke alarms installed in every bedroom, hallway and living area.
"It is important to look out for older neighbours, family and friends who may not have the ability to install, test or replace smoke alarms themselves."
Ronaldson also says people need to know smoke alarms don’t last forever and should be replaced after 10 years.
"We often see homes which have smoke alarms installed but they are well past their use by date so won’t be at their best. Checking alarms is easy – remove them from the base plate and check their manufacture and/or expiration on the bottom of the alarm."
Fire and Emergency recommends people install long-life photoelectric smoke alarms in every bedroom, living room and hallway to have the earliest possible warning of a fire.
"Most New Zealand homes have smoke alarms, but now is the time to make sure they are working and in the right places and that means in every bedroom, living area and hallway, says Ronaldson.
But preparedness also involves a bit more thinking about a worst-case scenario.
"Having smoke alarms is only the first step in your 3-step escape plan. When testing yours and your loved one's alarms make sure there are two clear exits and an agreed safe meeting place."
