Tip: Check those smoke alarms

OK, so maybe this is more of a reminder than a tip, but I still think it bears repeating. With yesterday's time change we may all still be feeling a bit sluggish, but checking your smoke detectors is a really good habit to get into when you're changing your clocks.

So, yesterday morning, armed with a wooden spoon - it's the perfect length to reach those high up alarms and I wasn't dragging out the ladder unless I needed to actually change the batteries! - I hit all of my test buttons.

One was very loud. The other two, however, needed their batteries replaced, so it was well worth giving up 10 minutes of my time for peace of mind until we "fall back" in the autumn.

Read more tips from "Make life easier" March (and please share your own tips in the comments, too!)

- Speed wallpaper removal

- Remove stickers and price tags

- Keep your bathroom mirror from fogging up

- Cut down on painting cleanup

- Banish tea (or coffee) stained mugs

- Quiet that dripping faucet

- Make sure your furniture fits before you buy

- Don't let your paint can drip on the floor

- Why every tool box should include nail polish