With clocks going back an hour on 2 April 2023 it’s a good idea to check your house and property are ready for the approaching winter months.
Daylight saving ends at 3am, Eastern Daylight Saving Time on Sunday 2 April 2023. Clocks will be put back one hour.
Winter might be a few months away, but this weekend offers the perfect opportunity to do the annual pre-winter check.
Check Your Smoke Detectors
When you change your clocks, check your smoke alarm for a second. It’s as simple as pressing a button. Don’t risk it; test it.
Check out these stats:
- 2019 Winter fire data shows that almost 25% of smoke alarms did not operate in house fires. Our Commissioner Paul Baxter urges the community to check that your smoke alarm is working!
- Many smoke alarms installed before or in the couple of years since 2010 are now starting to reach the end of their 10 year working life. Test your batteries and replace your alarms if needed. Working smoke alarms help save lives.
Working smoke alarms help save lives. You must have at least one working smoke alarm on each level of your home, placed between bedrooms and living areas, It’s the law.
In Fire and Rescue NSW Annual Report (2021/2022) the following was noted:
“While official data are not yet available and the time period is out of scope for this report, there have been a high number of home fire deaths in NSW in the winter of 2022, reinforcing the urgency and importance of ongoing fire prevention and fire safety education within the community.”
Check Your Chimney
Having your chimney checked and swept ahead of winter is an important step to reduce the chance of a house fire.
Test Your Appliances
Ensure you test non-electric heaters for gas or carbon monoxide leaks, and ensure all electric heating appliances are dust-free and have undamaged cables and plugs. Heaters use more energy than standard appliances so check they are plugged straight into a wall socket to avoid overloading double adaptors.
Double Check electric blankets are in good working order and install timers to ensure they’re not accidentally left on.
Outside the House
Check roofs and gutters to ensure they are well-maintained and clear of debris and leaf litter. A list of local tradies to help you to do this is here.
Trim overhanging branches and remove dead or dying trees to reduce the likelihood of damage during storms. Check with Lane Cove Council their rules around pruning trees. Information on tree pruning is here.
Sleep in on Sunday as you have an extra hour as you turn back your clocks.
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