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Exelgard, a leading distributor of fire products for the home, is recommending that homeowners take advantage of the clock change on Sunday October 4 and remember to also change their smoke alarm batteries.
Legislation across most of the country stipulates that homes must have at least one smoke alarm, ideally located where people sleep. If a home has more than one storey, there should be a smoke alarm on each level.
While 95 percent of homes across Australia are now equipped with smoke alarms1, there is no point in having one unless it is working properly.
“The beginning of daylight savings is the ideal reminder for homeowners to replace their smoke alarm battery and check that the alarm is working by pushing the test button,” said Dwayne Kuipers, National Manager, Exelgard. “It is a quick and simple task which has the potential to save lives.”
A working smoke alarm will assist in providing the precious time needed to escape a fire. According to AAMI’s 2008 Firescreen Index, two of the most common causes of fires in the home are cooking and faulty electrical appliances so consider where a photoelectric smoke alarm, best at detecting smoke from slow smouldering fires, might be more suitable than an ionisation alarm, which is better suited to fast flaming fires.
“Make sure you understand the difference between photoelectric and ionisation alarms and weigh up which will best address the likely causes of fire in your home,” said Kuipers. “Also think carefully about the positioning of smoke alarms so that they will have maximum impact if set off by a fire.”
Exelgard is the sole distributor of Wormald smoke alarms, which are available from Woolworths, K-mart, Big W and Australia Post.
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