As daylight saving time ends this weekend, residents are reminded to set their clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3. In addition to adjusting their clocks, Quinte West Fire and Emergency Services urges all residents to change the batteries in both their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
“The majority of home fire deaths occur in homes without a working smoke alarm. Be sure to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when you change your clocks this weekend,” says Sarah Potts, Fire Prevention Officer with Quinte West Fire and Emergency Services.
Working smoke alarms provide an early warning, giving you vital time to escape during a fire. By law, smoke alarms are required on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas. For extra safety, Quinte West Fire and Emergency Services recommends placing alarms inside all bedrooms as well.
If your home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage, carbon monoxide alarms must also be installed outside all sleeping areas. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. An odourless, tasteless gas, carbon monoxide can be deadly if undetected. Studies show that functioning carbon monoxide alarms, coupled with regular maintenance, help to save lives.
Residents are also reminded that tampering with or removing batteries from smoke or carbon monoxide alarms is illegal. Violating the Fire Code can result in fines or additional charges under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.