Turn your clocks ahead and check smoke alarms this weekend
Daylight saving time officially begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, so move your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.
And as you prepare to spring forward with daylight saving time and change the time on clocks around your home, the Dare County Fire Marshal’s Office reminds you to take a few extra minutes to ensure your smoke alarms are working properly and change the batteries.
According to the National Fire Administration, three out of five fire- related deaths occur in homes that either do not have smoke alarms or have smoke alarms that do not work.
“The spring and fall time changes are perfect reminders to test your smoke alarms and change the batteries,” said Dare County Fire Marshal Steve Kovacs. “A working smoke alarm can help you and your family escape in the event of a fire in your home.”
The Dare County Fire Marshal’s Office recommends you test each smoke alarm every month, so you know they are ready to protect you and your family if there is a fire.
You should have at least one smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside of the bedrooms, and on each floor.
Replace smoke alarms if they are 10-years or older.
If you have hardwired smoke alarms, be sure they have battery back-ups and the batteries are working. If your hardwired smoke alarms do not have battery backups, they should be replaced completely.
For more information or if you have questions on smoke alarm safety, contact your local fire department or the Dare County Fire Marshal’s office at 252-475-5750 or visit online at http://www.darenc.com/firemarshal.
