Spring clean your smoke alarm

Paul Coyle, Station Commander, Londonderry District, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service encouraged people to take a few minutes to spring clean their smoke alarms by simply using your vacuum cleaner to remove any dust or insects that may be lurking within it.

“Doing this annually and testing your smoke alarm once a week, by pressing the test button enabling the alarm to sound for at least 5 seconds, will ensure that your smoke alarm is fully functional. A working smoke alarm will alert you and your family to the earliest stages of a fire giving you vital extra time to escape.

“We would ask people to also remember their elderly or vulnerable neighbours who might also benefit from your help to ensure their smoke alarm is properly maintained,” he said, adding: “A free Home Fire Safety Check could also form part of your spring cleaning routine”

Firefighters are available to check homes to help make them fire safe, including checking for appliances that could cause fire, and helping with any actions to avoid fire, as well as ensuring smoke alarms are working. If necessary they will fit a free smoke alarm.

To arrange a free Home Fire Safety Check call 028 9260 0477, alternatively text phone/Minicom 028 9262 8800 or log on to the NIFRS website at www.nifrs.org for further information.