The first thing you probably did Sunday morning is made sure all of your clocks were changed.
Fire Prevention Officer Steve Richardson says there’s one more thing you should do when the time changes each year.
“Check your smoke detectors, but most importantly, change the battery. It’s a very small expense for a very important safety item,” he said.
Richardson says you should also check the expiry date of your detector.
“Some detectors are manufactured to last up to 10 years. You should also look them over, and make sure they are not getting clogged up with dust or pet dander. If the detector is starting to look a little old, it is best to replace it,” Richardson said.
Carbon monoxide detectors are also suggested for homes with heat that is provided by oil, propane, natural gas, pellet stove — basically anything where a flame is used.
For homes that are newly built, you will have a detector in each bedroom and in the hallway outside.
“Existing ones should have one, at the very minimum, on each floor of your residence,” Richardson added.
If your home has a hard-wired unit, a battery is still needed as a back-up in case the power goes out.
