Corby Community Safety Partnership

Want to quit smoking? Call Smokefree: 0800 022 4 332 or visit www.smokefree.nhs.uk

 It's Time to Test:

 Change your clock, test your smoke alarm

A new hard- hitting advertising campaign is urging people to make a potentially life-saving move when they change their clocks on the weekend of Sunday 30th October - by taking a moment to test their smoke alarm too.

The twice-yearly clock change is a task that everybody takes for granted. Timekeeping is important and so turning the clocks back will already be on the 'to-do' list for the majority of British households over the clock change weekend. You're more than four times as likely to die in a fire if your smoke alarm is not working. So its clear that the simple act of testing your alarm needs to be a vital part of any household routine as well.

Lisa Bryan from the Community Protection department said:

"Everyone notices when a clock stops ticking, but the condition of your smoke alarm isn't so obvious. The battery could be flat or you may have forgotten that you removed it and used it for a child's toy. The only way to be sure it's working is to test it."

"As you put your clocks back on the 29th or 30th, think about fire safety. Most people will get a chair or stepladder out to change their own or a loved ones clock, just take an extra moment to push the button on your alarm too - it could save your life."

"We're all looking forward to getting that extra hour's sleep at the end of British Summer Time, knowing that your smoke alarm is working will help you to sleep that little bit better."

Listen out for radio and press adverts supporting the 'Change your clocks, Test your smoke alarm' campaign.

Help keep yourself and your loved ones safe in the home by following these simple steps:

- A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999.     Make sure you fit one on every level of your home and test them regularly.

- Make testing your smoke alarm part of your household routine. Check the alarm by pressing the button regularly; change your battery once a year or invest in a 10year alarm; and clean the sensor casing twice a year to ensure dust isnt blocking the sensor.

- Whatever happens, never remove the battery in your smoke alarm.

- Make sure that everyone in your home knows what to do in a fire and practise your escape route.

- For more information visit the Fire Kills campaign's Facebook page at facebook.com/firekills

If you want an extra nudge to test your smoke alarm regularly, try setting an automatic reminder. Safelincs, in partnership with the Fire Kills campaign has created a free service that reminds you, by email, or text, when it's time to test your smoke alarm, change the battery or renew the unit. The service is completely free and can be cancelled at any time. wwwsafelincs.co.uk/reminders.

Fire safety in the home   

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAnd Community/InYourHome/FireSafety/index.htm    

Black TV filler

http://www.youtube.com/user/FireKillsCampaign#p/u/18/uCTRass7reE

Spec TV filler

http://www.youtube.com/user/FireKillsCampaign#p/u/10/jW5gNeebUAQ

Smokey TV filler

http://youtube.com/user/FireKillsCampaign#p/u/11/RROz4ZEw6Zc

Melting clock

http://bit.ly/firekillsclock

January 2012 - Total Incidents Picked up by CCTV - 34, Arrests made - 18