As Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, November 2, the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department urges all residents to do more than just turn back their clocks-take a few extra minutes to check and replace the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.

“Working smoke and CO alarms are the first and best defense in a fire or gas emergency,” said Fire Chief Jason Turner of Bay District VFD. “Changing the batteries during Daylight Saving Time is a simple habit that can save lives.”

Each year, fire departments across the country respond to home fires where smoke alarms failed to operate-most often due to missing or dead batteries. Similarly, carbon monoxide poisoning incidents spike during colder months, when heating systems and gas appliances are used more frequently.

Bay District VFD offers these quick safety tips:

Replace the batteries in all smoke and CO alarms, unless the units use 10-year sealed batteries.

Test each alarm by pressing the test button to ensure it sounds.

Check the age of your alarms-replace smoke alarms every 10 years and CO detectors every 5 to 7 years.

Install alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be deadly. Early detection is critical, and CO alarms are the only way to alert you to danger in time to act.

“We want every household in our community to be protected,” said Chief Turner. “Take a few minutes this weekend to check your alarms and talk with your family about fire safety. Those few minutes could make all the difference in an emergency.”

Bay District VFD also encourages residents to check on elderly neighbors or family members who may need assistance testing or replacing their alarms.

Fire Prevention Tip: When you change your clocks, take time to check your smoke and CO alarms. Working alarms save lives.

To learn more about fire prevention and safety, or to support Bay District VFD through donations or volunteering, visit www.bdvfd.org or follow the department on Facebook.