FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY 30 MARCH
Australians risk life and home by removing smoke alarms
- A timely reminder that only working smoke alarms help save lives -
Broadcast quality footage available:
Confronting research released today in the Duracell National Fire Safety Report has shown that one
in five Australians take down or remove the battery of their smoke alarm when it is accidentally
triggered by cooking.
Of those that remove the smoke alarm or battery when accidentally triggered, nearly one third don’t
replace it immediately¹, while 7 per cent forget to replace the smoke alarm or battery all together.
In response to these findings, Duracell and the Australian Fire Services want to remind everyone
that only working smoke alarms help to save lives.
In accordance with the end of Daylight Saving, ACT, New South Wales, South Australian,
Tasmanian and Victorian residents should change both their clocks and their smoke alarm batteries
on Sunday April 5.
Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australian residents – through the message ‘don’t be a
fool, change your smoke alarm battery’ - are encouraged to make April Fool’s Day the day to
change their smoke alarm batteries (April 1, 2009).
Nicky Buckley, mother of three and ambassador for the Duracell National Fire Safety Report, is
urging all Australians to be sensible this winter and ensure their smoke alarms are in working order.
“Smoke alarms provide a vital early warning sign should there be a fire in your home. However, they
are only able to do so if they are working. We have all experienced moments of weakness and
reacted to the irritation of burnt toast setting off a smoke alarm, but smoke alarms cannot help to
save your home or your family if they are disconnected, pulled down or the battery is flat,” said Nicky
Buckley. “Together with Duracell and the Australian fire services, I am encouraging everyone to
change their smoke alarm batteries this week and ensure their family is safer for winter.”
Frighteningly, approximately 800,000 Australians say they never replace their smoke alarm
batteries, risking their home and the lives of members of their family, particularly as we approach
winter, the peak season for residential fires.
There were over 13,000 residential fires across Australia in 2008 and Australian Fire Services want
to see this figure significantly reduced in 2009.
NSW Fire Brigades Commissioner, Greg Mullins, said the risks for household fires were higher in
winter months.
“Households will be using more electrical equipment such as heaters and dryers, which can
increase the risk of a fire starting in the home,” Commissioner Mullins said.
“If you’re asleep at the time of the fire, the smoke, which is full of toxic gases, may numb your
senses and put you into a deeper sleep. The high-pitched sound of a smoke alarm is designed to
wake you and other family members before the smoke kills you.
“Working smoke alarms and a plan to escape are crucial in giving households an important early
warning and safe escape from home fires this winter. These simple measures often make the
difference between life and death in a fire situation. Don't gamble with your family members’ lives;
make sure you have a working smoke alarm, test it monthly and change the battery annually.”
Other key findings from the Duracell National Fire Safety Report include:
9 per cent of the population are simply not concerned about replacing smoke alarm batteries
36 per cent of Australians (over one third) say they have an elderly relative, friend or
neighbour who would benefit from assistance in changing their smoke alarm battery because
the person is not able to reach it, does not have access to it or doesn’t know how to change
it
Nearly half of the country (46 per cent) do not have a home fire escape or evacuation plan
for their home
Australian fire services recommend all residents:
Only purchase smoke alarms that carry the Australia Standards symbol
Install smoke alarms in all bedrooms and in all paths of travel between sleeping areas and
exits to the open air, such as hallways and living areas
Interconnect all smoke alarms, so regardless of where a fire starts all smoke alarms in the
home will sound to alert occupants at the earliest possible time
Test smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button
Replace smoke alarm batteries annually with long-lasting alkaline batteries
Avoid installing smoke alarms close to kitchens and bathrooms to minimise false alarms. A
primary reason why smoke alarms don't operate when needed is because batteries have
been removed after repeated false alarms. False alarms are often caused by steam from
bathrooms or by cooking fumes
Photo-electric smoke alarms are less prone to false alarms from cooking fumes
Smoke alarms should be supported by a home fire escape plan and remember young
children must be helped to escape to safety in the occurrence of a residential fire
Australian fire services, together with Duracell, are urging all Australians to change their smoke
alarm battery this week because only working smoke alarms help save lives.
The findings of the Duracell National Fire Safety Report are based on responses from 1,205
Australians aged 18-64 years and was conducted online in February 2009 by Newspoll.
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NB: INTERVIEWS WITH NICKY BUCKLEY AND STATE FIRE SERVICES SPOKESPEOPLE AVAILABLE
For further information please contact Open Haus:
Alexis Bicknell on 02 8353 5731 or 0400 161 598
Sarah Algar on 02 8353 5793 or 0409 123 905
Footnote:
1.
29 per cent of those surveyed take more than one hour to replace the smoke alarm or battery
NEWS 
