Reminder To Change Clocks And Fire Alarm Batteries This Weekend

  • Thursday, October 30, 2014

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday. The Chattanooga Fire Department encourages the public to change the batteries in smoke alarms too, when they change clocks back one hour to Eastern Standard Time before going to bed.

“The majority of fire deaths happen at night when everyone is sleeping,” said Fire Chief Lamar Flint. “In the event of a fire, a working smoke alarm will give you and your family the early warning you need to safely get out of the house. 

When properly installed and maintained, working smoke alarms save lives and protect against injury and loss due to fire. “You double your chances of surviving a home fire with working smoke alarms,” said Chief Flint.

Here are 10 safety tips on smoke alarms:

  1. One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to have a working smoke alarm that can sound fast for both a fire that has flames, and a smoky fire that has fumes without flames. It is called a "Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm."
  2. Place a smoke alarm on the ceiling of every level of your home and outside bedrooms. Children and older people can sleep though the loud sound of a smoke alarm. Make sure your escape plan includes someone who can help children and others wake up immediately to escape from the home.
  3. If you keep your bedroom doors closed, place a smoke alarm on the ceiling of each bedroom.
  4. Check smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button.
  5. Never take smoke alarm batteries out to put into other items like games or remote controls.
  6. Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when they hear the alarm sound.
  7. If there is a fire, leave the home right away by crawling low under the smoke and never go back inside.
  8. If smoke from cooking makes the alarm sound, press the “hush” button, if your alarm has one. You can also turn on the kitchen fan, open a window or wave a towel near the alarm until it stops making the sound. Never take the battery out of the alarm.
  9. Most alarms need a new battery at least once a year. Some smoke alarms have batteries that last for up to 10 years. If your smoke alarm is over 10 years old, replace it with a new alarm and a new battery.
  10. If you rent, talk to your landlord about placing a working smoke alarm in your home.  You still need to buy a new battery at least once a year for the alarm.
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