October, the Bermuda Fire Service announced.

The Fire Service has planned a month of activities for all ages. It would launch a new programme to encourage people to change the batteries in their smoke detectors when Daylight Savings Time ended. "Change your clock, change your battery,'' was a concept picked up from North America, a spokesman said.

Starting on Monday morning, nurseries and preschools would be hosted at Hamilton Fire Station for fire safety shows. Interested schools can telephone 292-5555, extension 253, to arrange a time.

Primary schools are being hosted in the afternoons.

For students in secondary school, a fire drill competition is planned for noon on October 16. Each school was asked to select a four-student team to compete in rolling a fire hose, operating a bucket brigade, dressing in firefighting gear, operating a fire extinguisher, and directing a water stream.

On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, the Fire Service will hold public forums on fire safety in the home, along with fire extinguisher demonstrations. The first forum is at 7.30 p.m. on October 7. Those interested are asked to call and book a spot.

Seniors' groups and nursing homes interested in the Seniors Fire Safety Programme are also asked to contact the Fire Station.

The Fire Service has again organised poster contests. Children six and under are asked to draw a poster of Barney the Dinosaur dressed in a fire coat and fire helmet. Those seven and older are asked to draw a home fire plan, showing the locations of smoke detectors.