Tick, Tock, Test - provides a catchy reminder to hopefully prompt everyone into action when changing all your timepieces throughout your home.

Silent Killer

Did you know that smoke is a silent killer? It is responsible for over half of all deaths in accidental fires in the home. A working smoke alarms can give the wake-up call needed to escape – because smoke will not - it will leave you for dead.

Shockingly, in  the majority of domestic fires with fatalities, smoke alarms were either absent or did not go off – and a common cause was missing or flat batteries. That is why the Fire Kills campaign, run in partnership with Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service is asking people to make an online pledge to test their smoke alarms this clock change weekend. A simple push of the test button and you will test both the power supply and the detection mechanism.

Everyone can join in and pledge to Tick Tock Test on the Fire Kills Facebook page or click on special Fire Kills ‘Tick Tock Test’ adverts when you see them online and on your mobile phones. 

Fire Minister, Penny Mordaunt said:  “The simple act of pressing a button and testing the smoke alarms in your home could be the difference between life and death. On clock change weekend, when you turn back the clocks in your home I urge everyone to Tick Tock Test their smoke alarms too. It takes very little extra time and could well be a life saver.

“At the last clock change nearly 1 in 7 people reached for the test button and I hope that this October many more do the same, not just in their own homes but in the homes of those they know and love who might find it difficult to test for themselves.

“I want to see thousands of responsible householders pledging to test – and then doing it over the weekend of 25-26 October. Let’s save more lives.”

Alan Coxon Community Safety Prevention Manager said: “Tick, Tock, Test is straight talking and easy to remember. It’s a great link to clock change weekend and a reminder how important it is to test your smoke alarm. 

“Everyone soon notices when a clock stops ticking, but it’s not so easy to be sure that your smoke alarm is still in working order. Whether the battery is flat, has been used for a kid’s toy or the connection is loose, everyone should take the time to test.  Over half the people who died in home fires last year in England were 65 years old or above, so this is also a perfect opportunity to test alarms for older relatives who might find it hard to reach their alarms but are at far greater risk.

“By pushing the ‘test’ button on every smoke alarm, you could save the lives of your nearest and dearest – children, parents, friends and pets alike.”