Shrewsbury Fire Dept: Change Smoke Alarm Batteries With Clocks

SHREWSBURY, MA — As daylight saving time comes to an end, the Shrewsbury Fire Department is reminding residents to change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when resetting their clocks this weekend.

Daylight saving time ends on Sunday at 2 a.m., and clocks will move back one hour at that time.

Having working smoke alarms reduces the risk of dying in a fire by 50 percent and, on average, three out of every five fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Additionally, dead batteries are the cause of 25 percent of smoke alarm failures.

The Shrewsbury Fire Department asks that all business owners not only change the batteries in their clocks, smoke or carbon monoxide alarms, but also replace the batteries on wall mounted emergency lights and exit signs. All businesses should have emergency backup lighting as a safety feature to provide temporary lighting in case of power failure.

“I cannot stress enough that changing the batteries in these devices can truly be a life-saving act,” said Chief Vuona. “All homes should be equipped with smoke alarms that work and to ensure this, residents should regularly test these devices, and change the batteries twice a year.”
In order to continue to keep your home safe and prevent fires, Chief Vuona recommends that residents follow safety tips outlined by NFPA:

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month using the test button. Replace alarms immediately if they don’t respond properly when tested.
• Replace batteries in smoke and CO alarms when you change your clocks.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they reach 10 years old. Replace CO detectors according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area, on every level of the home, and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
• If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay in that spot until emergency personnel arrive.
• Develop and practice a home escape plan with all members of the household

The battery replacement process is fairly simple and batteries can be purchased for most units at a local hardware, grocery or convenience store.