SMOKE alarms save lives, but only if they work, which is why Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging Halton householders to test them when they change their clocks this weekend.

The clocks are due to go forward on Saturday, March 29.

Firefighters are urging Halton residents to follow the ‘Fire Kills Tick Tock Test’ campaign and test their smoke alarms at the same time they update their clocks.

Keith Brooks, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service's head of community safety, said: “We are determined to prevent as many deaths as possible from fire, and the ‘Fire Kills Tick, Tock, Test’ campaign is a great reminder for people to make sure their smoke alarms are working.

“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. “We all lead busy lives so prompts like this are vital to ensure everyone takes the time to test.

“As over half the people who died in home fires last year were 65 years old or above, this is also a perfect opportunity to test alarms for older relatives who might find it hard to reach their alarms but are at greater risk.

“You could easily save the lives of your nearest and dearest, children, parents and friends, by pushing the test button on every smoke alarm this weekend.”

You are at least four times more likely to die in a fire if you do not have a working smoke alarm. It can buy you and your family the valuable time you need to get out, stay out and call 999.

With 211 people dying in fires in the home last year, and more than 70% not being alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm, it is essential that people test their smoke alarms regularly.

The Tick Tock test will hopefully stay in people’s minds and prompt them into action when they go around their home changing their clocks.

For more information visit cheshirefire.gov.uk.