Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery- Daylight Savings 100 Year Anniversary

The Columbus Fire Department reminds residents to change your smoke alarm batteries as you set your clocks for the beginning of daylight savings time this Sunday. Daylight savings time will begin at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 11, 2018.  Clocks should spring forward from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. This is a great time for families to review fire safety planning and  inspect or replace smoke alarms in the home. The Columbus Fire Department recommends that smoke alarm batteries be replaced twice a year, while alarms should be tested once a month. DST, or “Daylight Savings Time”, was established in the United States in 1918.

“Smoke alarms are an inexpensive tool for early fire detection that every home should have,” says Columbus Fire Chief Mike Compton. “Working smoke alarms, coupled with an emergency escape plan, increases the chances of surviving a fire in the home.”

The Columbus Fire Department recommends that all residents inspect their smoke alarms this weekend and ensure that they are in working order. Smoke alarms that were manufactured 10 or more years ago, should be replaced with a new smoke alarm . A smoke alarm’s manufacture date is typically found on the back of the device.  If the smoke alarm’s date of manufacture is 2008 or after, the smoke alarm unit should be replaced.  A great option for alarm replacement, is a ten year smoke alarm, which contains a ten year sealed battery. These replacement alarms can be purchased at most local retailers.  This is also the ideal time of year to replace the batteries in all non-expired smoke alarms. A large number of fire fatalities occur in homes that do not have working smoke alarms.

In addition to protecting your family through the use of smoke alarms, the Columbus Fire Department recommends reviewing your home fire escape plan with family members. All family members should be aware of what to do if a fire breaks out in the home. If you need assistance in creating a home fire escape plan, or need assistance with smoke alarms, please contact the Columbus Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau at (812) 376-2584, or visit the Columbus Fire Department website: www.columbus.in.gov/fire/

We share the below information on home fire escape planning and smoke alarms:

 Home Fire Escape Planning-

  • Smoke alarms sound for a reason. When you hear the beep – think fire
  • Know two ways out of every room in the home
  • Get low and go – Crawl below toxic smoke and find an exit
  • Once outside, stay outside and call 911
  • Determine a safe meeting place outside the home where all family members will meet

Smoke Alarms Safety Tips-

 If smoke alarms are 10 years old, replace with a new smoke alarm. This includes hardwired alarms with battery back-up systems

  • Test smoke alarms every month to ensure they are in working order
  • Replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year
  • Install smoke alarms on every level of the home
  • Smoke alarms should be installed in all sleeping rooms
  • Bedroom doors should remain shut when sleeping