Kiwis will want to make sure they’ve set their clocks – the ones that don’t change automatically – forward by one hour before going to bed tonight, as daylight saving kicks in overnight.
The change is officially made at 2am, when the time leaps forward by 60 minutes.
Each year it begins on the last Sunday in September and ends at 3am on the first Sunday in April.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand are using daylight saving as a chance to remind Kiwis to check their smoke alarms are working while adjusting their clocks.
Tom Ronaldson, community education and behavior change manager, said that working smoke alarms allow for the best chance to survive a fire.
“Fire moves fast. You have less than three minutes before a fire is unsurvivable,” he said.
“We’re asking you to make sure you have working smoke alarms in every bedroom, living room and hallway.
“It is important you test your smoke alarms regularly and give them a clean with the vacuum cleaner or duster. To test smoke alarms, push the button and wait till you hear the beep.”
Ronaldson said daylight savings is also a good chance for households to discuss their three-step escape plan in case of an emergency.
“To create a three-step escape plan, check you have working smoke alarms in the right places, identify your first and second escape routes from each room and agree on a safe meeting place,” he said.
“Practicing your three-step escape plan is a great way to entertain your tamariki these school holidays, and to make sure they know how to get out in an emergency.”
