Change smoke alarm batteries along with the clocks, Sarnia Fire suggests

The time change offers a ideal reminder to replace batteries in smoke alarms with fresh ones.

Tenants are urged to contact their landlord immediately if their rental property does not have the required number of smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms.

If that alarm chirps, replace only the battery.

Firefighters ran into a few different problems.

A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire.

For more information on making your home fire-safe, download and print the State Fire Marshal’s home fire safety checklist.

“It’s always important to have a working smoke detector”, said Chief Ivey. “Each time we change the clock, we recommend changing the battery”.

Spring ahead – fall back. If the alarm doesn’t sound when the test button is pushed, the batteries need to be replaced. “They’re putting new ones in the hall by the kitchen”. Over time sensors lose sensitivity and the ability to detect smoke. In this case, continue to test the battery monthly and replace the entire unit after 10 years. “Probably because it was so old”.

“It is in fact legislation that people maintain their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms”. Interconnect the alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound. Unfortunately these types of fires are the most common in people’s homes, caused by discarded cigarette butts, electrical wires and fireplace embers.

“Your risk of dying in a fire is greatly reduced when your home is equipped with working smoke alarms”, Jorgensen said. “Often individuals affected by a home fire have lost everything so we are there to help provide financial assistance and give individuals the tools they need to fully recover from a disaster”.

Volunteers installed the detectors and showed residents how to properly do it themselves, emphasizing that a smoke detector should be placed as high up as possible because that’s the direction that smoke and heat travel. Also, a lot of detectors have expiration dates of 2016, so make sure to check yours.

But it’s not just fire safety that officials are warning residents to be mindful of when Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend.