Change Time, Change Batteries

On Sunday, March 10, Standard Time returns to Daylight Savings Time at 2 a.m.

The St. John’s Regional Fire Department wishes to remind everyone that as you change your clocks this weekend, change the batteries in your smoke detectors and 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.

By practicing the following safety tips, your chances of surviving a fire will be significantly increased.

• For best protection, smoke alarms should 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 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 10 or more years old and five 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.
• When changing your clocks this weekend, it is also a good time to change the batteries in your carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.
• Plan and practice a home escape in the event of an emergency – designate a safe meeting place outside. 

Working smoke and CO alarms save lives!
 
For more information contact:
Captain Mike Maher
Fire Prevention Officer
St. John’s Regional Fire Department
(709) 576-3905
Email: fireprevention@stjohns.ca