Time Change: Fall Back, Replace Smoke Alarm Batteries

November 5, 2022

Don’t forget to “fall back” and set your clocks back one hour night before heading off to bed Saturday night as daylight saving time comes to an end.

It’s time to make another potentially life saving change — replace the batteries in your smoke alarm.

“Most home fire fatalities occur overnight when most families are sleeping,” according to Escambia Fire Rescue. “Changing the batteries in your smoke alarms and performing other maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk and a working smoke alarm can give the extra seconds needed to get out safely.”

In addition to checking smoke alarms, residents should plan “two ways out” and practice escape routes with the entire family. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.

Each year more than 3,000 people lose their lives in residential fires. The majority of these deaths are a result of unattended cooking. It is strongly recommended that someone always be present when cooking on top of the stove and that smoke alarms be located properly and in working order. Test the smoke alarm monthly and change the batteries at least every six months.

For information about obtaining a free home smoke alarm in Escambia County, call 850-595-HERO (4376).

Comments

2 Responses to “Time Change: Fall Back, Replace Smoke Alarm Batteries”

  1. Molino Resident on November 5th, 2022 11:59 am

    The bill still has to pass the house and if approved won’t go into affect until November of 2023. I myself do not support it. If we’re going to be on one time it should be standard time, not daylight savings time. Daylight savings time has been proven time and time again to cost citizens more money in energy costs and to compel people to stay out later shopping. The Sunshine Protection Act is only in the best interest of big retail and energy companies like Florida Power and Light.

  2. Bill on November 5th, 2022 9:08 am

    I thought they were doing away with this making us change our clocks. The earth and the sun don’t give us any extra darkness or light just because we adjust the time.