Change your clocks, change your batteries

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When you change your clocks back an hour this weekend, check or change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms.

Nearly all residential detectors have batteries, even if directly wired. Newer detectors may have non-replaceable 10 year lithium ion batteries, so it's important to check the date and replace the entire alarm if it has expired. Carbon monoxide alarms may have shorter expirations, so it's important to check the expiration date on the detector.

Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. Protect yourself and your family with the following tips:

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  • Choose interconnected smoke alarms, so when one sounds, they all sound.

  • Put smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Put alarms on every level of the home.

  • Make sure your smoke alarms work. Your family is not safe if they can’t hear the smoke alarms.

  • Test smoke alarms every month and change replaceable smoke alarm batteries at least once every year.

  • Smoke alarms do not last forever. Get new smoke alarms every 10 years. Carbon monoxide alarms may have a shorter expiration, so always check the date printed on the detector.

  • When you hear a smoke alarm, you may have less than 2 minutes to get everyone outside and safe.

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How old are your detectors?

Note: Carbon monoxide alarms may expire in as little as 5 years