Ewen McRae
With the end of daylight saving almost here, a local company is offering free battery swap for smoke alarms.
It’s the second year Battery World Melton has run the promotion, and manager Steve Iddles said it was a good chance to protect all members of your family, especially older members.
“If you are the designated family member, buying for your extended family, we will happily swap as many as 10 batteries and recycle the old ones,” he said.
“And why not use this opportunity to offer help to your older relatives, or neighbours? Fire statistics show seniors [people aged 65 and over] are the highest fire fatality risk group in the community.
“Figures collated in the last five years show as many as one in three fire-related deaths have been from this age group.
“Many are a bit nervous about going up a ladder [to change bateries], and often too proud to admit they need help.”
Retired firefighter Brian Humphreys said changing batteries and keeping smoke alarms working was vital.
“As both a volunteer and a career firefighter, sadly I witnessed many fatalities and injuries that may have been prevented if a working smoke alarm had been installed in the home,” he said.
“Smoke alarms are proven to save lives: they give people early warning.
“I am not ashamed to admit that over the years we have had some cooking misadventures and failure of electrical items where those smoke alarms in my own home have provided that very important early warning to me and my family, allowing swift action before the incident developed into a more serious or life-threatening situation.
“So, it can happen to any of us, despite how careful we think we are.”
The Battery World smoke alarm swap promotion runs from April 1 to 3.
Ewen McRae
