An estimated half of all New Zealand homes have no working smoke alarms, and people are being urged to install them to protect their family.
In his job as the southern region fire safety officer, Barry Gibson has seen first hand the value of a $20 smoke alarm in helping save people's lives.
And he has also seen the impact of not having one installed.
Daylight saving, which starts tomorrow, was an ideal time for people to check smoke alarms in their homes while they put their clocks forward an hour, he said.
This was particularly important for the estimated 50% of New Zealand homes with no working smoke alarms.
Mr Gibson said people should have smoke alarms installed in all bedrooms, living rooms and hallways, on each level of their home.
Modern life meant bedrooms often contained many electrical appliances, which represented a fire risk and potential danger for the sleeping person.
"That is when you want your early warning, to wake you up so you can get out."
Smoke alarms had changed and photoelectric alarms - retailing for between $18 and $40 - could last up to 10 years, while their predecessors lasted up to five years.
Too many homes did not replace the battery in their alarms. It was possible to have a battery that lasted the 10-year life of a photoelectric smoke alarm.
Hearing aid users who took their devices out at night were advised to contact their hearing aid supplier and buy a specialist smoke alarm.
His message to those people who did not have any working smoke alarms was "people have to take responsibility for their own safety and particularly for those in their care".
Households were advised to discuss an escape plan in the event of a fire, he said.
People wanting advice on where to install their smoke alarms could contact their nearest fire station, which could install smoke alarms and replace batteries for those unable to do so themselves, he said.
