Smoke alarms: How do you test yours?

Residents across Greater Manchester are being asked to show off how they test their smoke alarms this weekend.

To coincide with the start of British Summer Time and the clocks going forward this Sunday (March 29), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is urging everyone to test their smoke alarms, and do something creative in the process.

Households are being asked to get together and show ‘How do you test yours?’ by making a short video of them testing their smoke alarm in a fun and creative (but also safe!) way before sharing them by using @ManchesterFire and the hashtag #HowDoYouTestYours on Twitter and Instagram.

Making sure we all have working smoke alarms is more important than ever with more people in the house for extended periods of time as we all do our part and stay at home.

Good examples of testing your smoke alarm will be shared on our social media accounts to make sure there is plenty of inspiration.

GMFRS’ Head of Prevention, Area Manager Paul Fearnhead, said: “Testing your smoke alarm is really simple and easy. It only takes a minute or so and could save your life.

“We know parents are looking for things to do in the house right now and we hope by getting the whole family involved and having some fun, that you won’t just test it this once but remember to keep testing it every week. We all can’t wait to see just some of the ways people can think of to test their smoke alarms.

“It’s also a great time to teach your children about fire safety in the home, including knowing an escape plan and being careful around cooking.”

A working smoke alarm should be installed on every level of your property.

Some top tips for maintaining a working smoke alarm include:

• Test it once a week, by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds
• Vacuum the alarm twice a year and wipe over with a damp cloth to remove any dust
• Change the battery once a year (unless it's a ten-year alarm)
• Replace the whole unit every ten years

To get involved with #HowDoYouTestYours:

1. Make a short video between 10 and 30 seconds long of you and your family testing your smoke alarm in a fun (but safe!) way
2. Share the video on Twitter or Instagram using @ManchesterFire and #HowDoYouTestYours
3. Keep an eye on @ManchesterFire to view other efforts and see whether yours gets shared!

27/03/2020 15:35 PM