Daylight Saving Time officially begins Sunday, March 8th at 2 am when the time “springs ahead” one
hour to 3 am. When we change our clocks we should also change the batteries in our smoke alarms and
carbon monoxide detectors. The phrase “change your clocks, change your batteries” is meant to remind
everyone of this important life safety act.
Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working
smoke alarms according to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association. When smoke alarms fail
to operate it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead. Working smoke alarms save
lives.
Some smoke alarms have ten year batteries from the manufacturer that do not need to be
changed. Other smoke alarms have disposable batteries that need to be changed. Smoke alarms that are
hardwired into your home’s electric also have a battery that needs to be changed so your smoke alarms will
still operate during a power outage.
There should be a smoke alarm on every level of your home, including your basement. Smoke
alarms need to also be located in hallways outside of bedrooms and inside of bedrooms. Test your smoke
alarms monthly and replace them if they fail to operation correctly regardless of their age. All smoke
alarms should be replaced every ten years.
Carbon monoxide detectors are also necessary life safety devices. Carbon monoxide is an odorless,
colorless, poisonous gas that can build up in your home when fuel burns incompletely. Potential sources of
carbon monoxide include gas fired heating or cooking appliances and fireplaces when the flue is not
opened during use. Some carbon monoxide detectors have a five year battery installed by the
manufacturer. Other detectors are battery operated or plug directly into an outlet. The detectors that plug
into an outlet usually have a battery backup for operation during a power outage. Change the batteries in
your carbon monoxide detectors to ensure that they function properly. A carbon monoxide detector
should be located within ten feet of bedrooms. Test your carbon monoxide detectors monthly and replace
them every five years or if they fail to test properly.
For more information on smoke alarms please visit the National Fire Protection Association web
site at www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/fire-and-safety-equipment/smoke-alarms. For
more information on carbon monoxide detectors please visit www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for
consumers/fire-and-safety-equipment/carbon-monoxide. You can also call the Plainfield Fire Protection
District at 815-436-5335 ext. 7314 or visit our web site at www.plainfieldfpd.com