'Spring forward' a good time to replace smoke alarm batteries

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Curtis J. Lenz
  • 157 ARW Public Affairs
To kick off daylight-saving time, clocks "spring forward" at 2 a.m. Sunday morning, March 8.

Before many people go to bed, they'll change all of the clocks throughout their homes to reflect the time change. The National Fire Protection Association wants to remind everyone that this might also be a good time to change the batteries in all of your home's smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

According to Senior Master Sgt. James Roberts of the 157th Air Refueling Wing Safety Office, "Using daylight saving times is the perfect opportunity to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors."

To stay safe, replacing batteries in all smoke alarms should be done at least once a year. In addition, smoke alarms should be tested once a month and if an alarm "chirps," warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

When you are finished changing the batteries in your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detectors, make sure you put the plastic clip on the used batteries or put a piece of electricians tape over the leads as this will help prevent a possible fire. Ensure you recycle the old batteries; don't just throw them in the trash.

Roberts went on to say that it's an ideal time to discuss with your families an escape plan in the event of a house fire.

"Your family should prepare and practice an escape plan from your home," he said. "Crawl low under smoke and coordinate in advance a location for all family members to meet outside -- and once outside, stay out!"

Fire safety tips are available on NFPA's webpage at www.nfpa.org/safety-information.

For more fire safety tips, visit the 157th Air Refueling Wing Safety Office in Building 100.