Daylight Saving ends at 3am tomorrow when clocks go back one hour.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is urging people to mark the end of daylight saving by checking their smoke alarms at the same time they turn their clocks back before going to bed tonight.

With everybody now at home for the COVID-19 self-isolation period, it was more important than ever to check your home is fire safe and to be vigilant about fire safety in everything you do.

"Checking your smoke alarms are working doesn't take long and it could save your life," Fire and Emergency New Zealand National Advisor Fire Risk Management, Pete Gallagher said.

"Smoke alarms don't last forever; they all have expiry dates and will need to be replaced."

If your alarm needs to be replaced, smoke alarms are available in most supermarkets and online.

"It may be a different brand and style to the one it’s replacing but as all smoke alarms in New Zealand must meet strict international standards you can be assured it will work correctly."

Fire and Emergency New Zealand's advice:

• If you don’t have smoke alarms - get them - they save lives.
• Check the smoke alarm batteries once a month starting this daylight saving weekend by pressing the test button. If the alarm doesn’t have a button, check its expiry date.
• If you can’t reach the button and don’t have a ladder, use a broom handle.
• Dust and debris can stop alarms from working properly and cause false alarms, so vacuum over and around the alarms regularly.
• And please stay vigilant as you move about your homes.

FIRE SAFETY CHECKLIST

• Check your smoke alarms. They will save your life
• Don’t assume smoke alarms are working, press the button to check.
• Make a household escape plan and practice it. A house fire can kill in less than five minutes. If you live in an apartment make sure the entrance and exit points are clear and free.
• Don’t overload plugs. One appliance to each wall plug or multi-board socket. We regularly attend fires caused by overloaded electrical outlets. So, if you’re working from home, please check your workspace set up to ensure plugs aren’t overloaded.
• Keep EVERYTHING and EVERYONE at least a metre away from the heater.
• Never leave electric blankets on while you sleep.
• Dispose of fire place ashes in a steel bucket with water. Ashes can stay hot enough to ignite for five days.
• Use candles safely and never leave them unattended.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.
• Keep looking while you’re cooking. Turn off if you leave the kitchen. Keep your cooking surfaces free from grease and please - never, ever leave pans unattended on the stove top.
• Don’t drink and fry. Unattended cooking fires are the number one cause of all structure fires in NZ in the past five years.

New Zealanders can be confident that Fire and Emergency is well-prepared and ready to respond to emergencies as usual during the nationwide self- isolation period.

If you do need to call 111 for a fire, you will be asked you whether anyone at the address is self-isolating or has a confirmed case of COVID-19. Where this is the case, measures are in place to ensure everyone’s safety including protective clothing, gloves, masks, safety glasses and mask.

For more information visit the Fire and Emergency website.