Early Sunday morning it will be time to put our clocks back one hour.

It is also time to think about another lifesaving activity – changing the batteries in your smoke detector.

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) urge residents, in particular seniors, to change their batteries. In many cases, local brigades can help with the task.

In Berry, as part of the Change your clock, change your smoke alarm battery campaign, firefighters are visiting a number of local senior residents to ensure their smoke alarm batteries are changed.

FRNSW has been working in partnership with Home Care of NSW to identify those who might be in need of assistance with their smoke alarm batteries.

“If you cannot climb a ladder and have no family, friends or neighbours to help you, we will come out and replace seniors’ smoke alarm batteries free of charge as part of the Duracell-sponsored Smoke Alarm and Battery Replacement (SABRE) program,” said Berry firefighter Luke Bramley.

“A fifth of all house fires involve seniors. So far in 2014, four people have died in house fires and all have been over 65. 

“A fire can take hold in just three minutes, filling your home with deadly smoke.

“A working smoke alarm gives you vital seconds to get out before you’re overcome. 

“When daylight saving ends this Sunday, and you change your clock, why not change your smoke alarm battery too?”

Mr Bramley said it was also important that seniors leave keys in, or near, deadlocks so they can escape quickly in an emergency.

Seniors who want to make use of this free service can contact their local Fire and Rescue NSW station – in Nowra it is the Shoalhaven Brigade on 4421 4754 or in Berry on 4464 1008. In outlying villages RFS volunteers carry out a similar service.