Change clock, change batteries

Standard Time returns to Daylight Savings Time at 3 a.m. Sunday, March 8.

The St. John’s Regional Fire Department remind everyone that as you change your clocks this weekend, change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.

Protect yourself and your family from fire and CO dangers in your home. Fresh batteries are necessary to keep alarms working, so they can alert you and your family, and give you time to escape an emergency. Working smoke and CO alarms save lives.

By practicing these safety tips, your chances of surviving a fire will be significantly increased:

• 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 CO detectors are installed and have fresh batteries make sure all family members, children in particular, know what the alarms and detectors sound like and what to do if 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' it's warning the battery is low; replace the battery immediately.
• Ensure your smoke alarms and CO detectors sensitivity by cleaning them each month of dust and other particles.
• Replace smoke alarms that are ten or more years old and five or more years for a CO detector. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and if they malfunction, replace them immediately.
• CO detectors shall be installed whenever oil, propane or wood appliances are being used in the home.
• When changing your clocks this weekend, it is also a good time to change the batteries in your CO detectors.
• Plan and practice a home escape in the event of an emergency – designate a safe meeting place outside.

For more information:
Captain Gary Power
Fire Prevention Officer
St. John’s Regional Fire Department
709-576-3905
fireprevention@stjohns.ca