HAMPSHIRE Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to test their fire alarms as the clocks go back this weekend.

Last year, over half the 213 UK fire deaths in the home, were caused by smoke inhalation but working smoke alarms can give people the wake-up call they need to escape.

Shockingly, in the majority of domestic fires with fatalities, there was either no smoke alarm or it did not go off – and the common cause was missing or flat batteries.

As part of the Fire Kills campaign, run in partnership with Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, people are asked to pledge to test their smoke alarms this clock change weekend.

A simple push of the test button will check both the power supply and the detection mechanism.

Glenn Bowyer, station manager at Southsea, said: “You are at least four times more likely to die in a fire if you don’t have a working smoke alarm, so taking the time to test the smoke alarms in your home this weekend could be a truly life-saving decision.

“Over half the people who died in fires in the home last year were aged 65 or over, which is why we are currently running a three-month campaign in Hampshire aimed at making older people safer.

“The clock change weekend can act as a great reminder to check your smoke alarms, but please also remember to test them for older friends and relatives who may be less able to check their own.”

Fire Minister Penny Mordaunt added: “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.”