Daylight saving end the perfect time to check smoke alarms, state’s fire service says

Daylight saving is set to end on Sunday, with Tasmanian homes to wind back their clocks one hour for a sleep-in. The state’s fire service is also asking for families to check one other feature in their homes.

Only the states and territories in green observe daylight savings time. Picture: timeanddate.com

Daylight saving ends on Sunday morning – prompting the Tasmania Fire Service to urge people to check their smoke alarms when they turn their clocks back an hour.

TFS acting director of Community Fire Safety, Chris Collins, said Tasmania had the second highest fire fatality in Australia with most deaths happening between 9pm and 6am when people are asleep and do not smell smoke.

Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) reminds all Tasmanians to change the battery in their smoke alarm when they adjust their clock for the end of daylight saving, senior firefighter Adam Doran, with a smoke alarm and clock a reminder to change the batteries in the smoke alarm

“In Tasmania we see devastating house fires every year where tragically not everyone gets out safely – in some cases, this is due to smoke alarms not working properly or not being installed,” he said.

“We know that working smoke alarms can make a real difference in helping to save lives – by waking people and giving them time to evacuate safely – and now is the time for everyone to check their alarms or install them.”

Mr Collins said all homes, including holiday homes, cabins, rentals, caravans, boats and cabins should have fully functioning smoke alarms.

“Working smoke alarms, supported by a home fire escape plan, can save lives,” he said.”

“Protect your family and your home now. Don’t wait until it’s too late.”

Saturday Magazine Tassie Towns, Historical Huonville a traditional apple-growing town in Tasmania's Huon Valley, the clock on the Huonville Town Hall

Daylight saving time ends on April 6, 2025 for anyone in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and ACT.

The clocks in these states will turn back at 3am in the current time (DST), meaning the clocks will read 2am (AEST) again when it turns to 3am.

It means residents in states and territories that observe the event will get an extra hour of sleep.

Daylight saving begins again on October 5.

Originally published as Daylight saving end the perfect time to check smoke alarms, state’s fire service says