North Bay Fire & Emergency Services
News Release
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North Bay Fire & Emergency Services reminds citizens that this weekend when you “Change your Clocks – Change your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Batteries.”
The message is simple but the habit could be life saving.
Most fatal fires occur at night when people are asleep.
Often the victims never wake up. Changing smoke alarm batteries twice a year, testing these alarms and reminding others to do the same are some of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries.
“Working smoke alarms provide an early warning and critical extra seconds to escape,” said Public Education Officer Sheri Korn.
Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms will greatly increase your chances of surviving a fire or exposure to carbon monoxide.
While you are changing the batteries, please take a moment to check the age of every alarm in your home.
Look for the manufacturer’s expiration date on the back or the side of the alarm.
If any smoke alarms (battery operated or hardwired) are over 10 years old, or if the unit is so old its age cannot accurately be determined – replace them!
Like smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms also wear out.
They need to be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions or every 7 years.
Remember, on Sunday March 9th, when you Change Your Clocks - Change Your Batteries and practice your home fire escape plan.
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