Saved by the bell

(This story was first published in March)

Fire and Emergency New Zealand reminds Kiwis to check their smoke alarms ahead of daylight savings time changes this Sunday.

Households are encouraged to test alarms are working and replace batteries. Faulty alarms or alarms more than ten years old should be replaced with photoelectric smoke detectors in line with the new standard.

A spokesperson for Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) says Kiwis must ensure they have working fire alarms.

“Fire moves fast, so early warning from working smoke alarms (including the use of HAT equipment) helps ensure households are prepared in the event of smoke or fire.”

Something Ardrianna Rose knows all too well after an unattended heater in her bedroom caught fire last Tuesday.

“If we didn’t have smoke alarms, we’d be dead.” She says.

Smoke alarms should be installed in all rental homes, boarding houses, rental caravans, and self-contained sleep-outs. They need to be on every level and within three meters of every bedroom to ensure all residents can evacuate when there is a fire.

Although a standard smoke alarm works best, FENZ recommends photoelectric smoke alarms for households.

They are faster at detecting smoke, its battery life last approximately 10 years (same as the lifespan of standard smoke alarms) and they can be interconnected via Bluetooth to alert an entire residence of a fire.

For those with hearing loss who find a standard smoke alarm difficult to hear, Hearing Assistive Technology (HAT) alert systems are available.

These systems can be either battery-operated or hardwired and utilise both strobe lights and vibration to alert those with hearing loss.

“Strobe alarms are costly and are very different to the run-of-the-mill fire alarms in the market.” Says Suzanne Gaier spokesperson Your Way, Kia Roha.

Funding is available if you are an adult who is Deaf or has hearing loss through the Ministry of Disabled Peoples. The alarm belongs to the person and can be taken with them if they move.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand works closely with partner agencies such as Your Way, Kia Roha to support people in the community that are Deaf, or hard-of-hearing.

Ardrianna Rose shares her experience.