The Fire Kills campaign is again encouraging people to test their smoke alarms when they change their clocks this coming clock change weekend. The snappy tagline ‘TICK TOCK TEST’, will help remind us all of the need to test our smoke alarms at this time of year.

Smoke alarms save lives, but only if they work.  With over 130 boat fires on Boat Safety Scheme records last year, including one fatal fire and many others losing their possessions and sometimes homes, it is essential that people test their smoke alarms regularly.

A working smoke alarm can buy you and your crew the valuable seconds you need to escape the heat and choking toxic gases and then make the emergency calls. National Fire Kills figures show you’re four times more likely to survive a fire if you have a working smoke alarm. Given the speed with which fire takes hold on a boat, this could be even higher odds for boaters.

Fire Kills campaign’s memorable phrase – Tick, Tock, Test – provides a wonderful reminder that will stay in people’s minds and hopefully prompt them into action when they go around changing their timepieces.

The Fire Kills campaign, is determined to prevent as many deaths as possible and make sure people test their alarms when the clocks change on 30 March.

BSS Manager Graham Watts said:

“Tick, Tock, Test is straight talking, easy to remember and intrinsically links clock change weekend to testing 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.  And, this is also a perfect opportunity to test alarms for  friends, family and fellow moorers who might find it hard to reach their alarms but are at greater risk.

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

So this clock change weekend, remember – Tick, Tock, Test! And if you haven’t got smoke alarms on you boat, take a look at the advice on the BSS website www.boatsafetyscheme.org/stay-safe/fire-safety-for-boats/smoke-alarms-for-boats/ about choosing & fitting smoke alarms in boat cabins and why having a fire action plan is critical to your safety