Change your smoke alarm batteries with the change to standard time. The Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s encourages all residents to change their smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries when moving their clocks back an hour this weekend. Daylight Savings ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 2nd. “Eighty percent of child fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms. It’s a tragic statistic that could be reduced by adopting the simple habit of the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery® program,” says Roberta McGuire, Public Education Officer. By providing an early warning and critical extra seconds to escape, working smoke alarms can cut in half your family’s likelihood of dying in a fire. Tips for installing and maintaining smoke alarms: • When installing smoke alarms, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for information about correct placement, testing and maintenance. • Test your smoke alarms every month using the test button. • Replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year and whenever the low-battery warning chirps. • Replace smoke alarms with new ones if they are 10 years old and older • Do not remove the smoke alarm battery if cooking smoke or steam from the shower activates the alarm. Instead, try relocating the alarm or install a smoke alarm with a “hush” button feature that will temporarily silence the alarm. If you have, any questions regarding smoke alarms, or do not have a working smoke alarm. Please call your local Fire Department.
