Change Your Clocks – Change Your Batteries

It’s that time again! Fall has arrived and it’s your reminder to change the clocks and change the smoke alarm batteries as well.

Fire Chief Brent Marshall says, “We change the clocks back one hour on Sunday November 6th, and this couldn’t be a better reminder to change your smoke alarm batteries”. Smoke alarms without batteries or with dead batteries, will not sound and give you the warning and precious seconds you need, to escape a fire.

Once the batteries have been changed, test the alarm to ensure it will sound. One easy way to test the alarm is to hold a lit incense stick 10 – 12” below the device and let the smoke drift upwards into it until it sounds. Once the alarm sounds, fan the smoke away and consider giving it a quick vacuum to remove any dust and contaminants that may have accumulated over the past few months.

Keep in mind as well, that smoke alarms do not last forever. The fire service suggests that smoke alarms between 7 and 10 years old, be considered for replacement. Manufacturers’ specifications may also indicate the expiry date or life span, however, in general terms the life of a smoke alarm is 10 years and replacement is due.

Unfortunately, the Fire Service continues to find residential occupancies without working smoke alarms. With the minimal costs of smoke alarms today, it is difficult to understand why there are not working smoke alarms in every home. Since March 1, 2006 the Ontario Fire Code requires a working smoke alarm on every level of the home, including the basement and outside all sleeping areas.

It is well known that properly installed and maintained smoke alarms prevent injury and saves lives. Let’s have everybody do their part and ensure they have working smoke alarms in their home. Halton Hills has not experienced a fire fatality since 2004, let’s continue being successful in keeping these tragedies from occurring in our community.

In keeping with this years’ Fire Prevention Week theme “Protect Your Family From Fire”, everybody should have a well rehearsed home escape plan. The development and rehearsal of a home escape plan can ensure a quick, safe evacuation of family members.

More information on the purchase or placement of smoke alarms is available at the Information Centre in the Georgetown Market Place, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 – 2:00. You may also call 905-877-1133 and ask for the Public Education Division for any additional information.