This weekend marks the end of daylight saving, and is a good opportunity to also take some time out to change smoke alarm batteries.

The NSW Fire Brigade and Bunnings Warehouse are joining forces to remind people of the important fire safety message.

Smoke alarms can play a vital role in saving you and your family in the event of a house fire.

On Saturday, April 3, representatives from the NSW Fire Brigade will be visiting Bunnings Warehouse in Wagga to answer questions and show residents how to safely install and change batteries in a range of different smoke alarms.

Bunnings staff and NSW Fire Brigade representatives will also present a joint home fire safety workshop from 12.30pm.

This session will cover a range of important fire safety messages, such as how to protect your property from fire, how to fit and install smoke alarms, managing vegetation and how to reduce fire fuel around the home.

For the kids, a special children’s fire safety session will also be held at 12.30pm, including some DIY activities and colouring-in.

In NSW, all homes are required to have at least one working smoke alarm.

The NSW Fire Brigade recommends checking each month that smoke alarms are working properly, and replacing them once a year.

Bunnings Warehouse Wagga manager John Hunter said the end of daylight saving was a good chance for residents to take steps to be safe in the event of a fire.

“The end of daylight saving serves as a great reminder for residents to change their smoke alarm batteries,” he said.

“It doesn’t take long and is easy to do.”