Time to Change your Clocks and the Batteries in all Smoke Alarms

Daylight savings begins on March 10, 2013, and Windsor Fire and Rescue Services recommends that residents replace the old batteries in their smoke alarms when they change their clocks this weekend.“In order for smoke alarms to do their job, they need to have working batteries,” explains Fire Chief Bruce Montone. “Once a year, old batteries should be replaced with new batteries. When you change your clocks this weekend, Windsor Fire and Rescue Services wants everyone to take the time to change the batteries in all smoke alarms.” At the same time, check the age of your smoke alarms. Windsor Fire and Rescue Services recommends replacing all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if the manufacturer recommends it.In order to survive a fire, you need to be provided with an early warning and know what to do when the smoke alarms sound. It’s the law to have working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. For added protection, it is recommended to also install smoke alarms inside all bedrooms.

Tampering with or removing the batteries from your smoke alarms is against the law. Failure to comply with the Fire Code’s smoke alarm requirements can result in a ticket for $235 or a fine of up to $50,000.