Daylight Saving Time Also Means Time to Change Smoke Detector Batteries

COVENTRY, RI— It's time to change the clocks and swap out the smoke detector batteries, says Ronald J. Preston, president of the Coventry Professional Firefighters Association.

"More than 2,300 people die each year in home fires, and two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires in homes without a working smoking alarm, according to the National Fire Protection Agency," he said. “Saving your life can be as simple as changing your smoke alarm batteries once a year and replacing smoke alarms every seven to 10 years.”

According to Preston, the best plan is to install "a dual purpose smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside of every bedroom and on each floor of your home."

Also, special smoke alarms are available for deaf or hearing-impaired.

“You should also install carbon monoxide alarms in your home and check them once a month,” says Preston. Carbon monoxide fumes are poisonous and will increase the intensity of a fire if ignited.

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