Be Alarmed and Ready – Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries
On Sunday, March 12, Standard Time returns to Daylight Savings Time at 2 a.m.
The St. John’s Regional Fire Department (SJRFD) wishes to remind everyone that as you move around your house setting clocks ahead this weekend, take an extra few moments to change your smoke alarm batteries. It could save your life.
The following safety tips will help to ensure that you have working smoke alarms in your home which is the single most important step you can take to increase your family’s safety from a home fire.
- For best protection, smoke alarms shall be installed in all sleeping rooms, outside each sleeping area and on each level of the dwelling including basements.
- Once smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and have fresh batteries, you should make sure family members, children in particular, know what the alarms and detectors sound like and what to do should they go off.
- After inserting a fresh battery in each smoke alarm, push the safety test button to make sure alarms are in proper working condition. Conduct this test monthly.
- If an alarm “chirps”, warning the battery is low, replace the battery immediately.
- Ensure your smoke alarms’ and carbon monoxide detectors’ sensitivity by cleaning them each month of dust and other particles.
- Replace smoke alarms that are ten (10) or more years old and five (5) or more years for a carbon monoxide (CO) detector. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and should they malfunction, replace them immediately.
- Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors shall be installed whenever oil, propane or wood appliances are being used in the home.
- Plan and practice a home escape in the event of an emergency – designate a safe meeting place outside
When changing your clocks this weekend, it is also a good time to change the batteries in your Carbon Monoxide Detectors.
For more information contact:
Captain Mike Maher
Fire Prevention Officer
St. John’s Regional Fire Department
(709) 576-3905
fireprevention@stjohns.ca