North Shore Fire Officials Urge People to Change Smoke Detector Batteries

North Shore Fire/Rescue officials are hoping people will change their smoke detector batteries to coincide with the end of daylight savings time.

“Nationally, 20 percent of all homes with smoke alarms do not have at least one smoke detector that works, mostly due to missing or dead batteries. This needs to change,” said North Shore Fire/Rescue Chief Robert Whitaker. “We want to see 100 percent of all homes with working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.”  

The move comes on the heels of new data showing that structure fires are on the rise in the North Shore this year to date compared to last year.

“Taking five extra minutes this weekend to change out batteries in these devices could save a life, and it is well worth the small investment in time," said Whitaker.

Daylight-saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4. People should turn their clocks back an hour. Whitaker's reminder is part of Change Your Clock Change Your Battery program, which is sponsored by Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

"Everyone is encouraged to use the extra hour they 'gain' from daylight-saving time to change the batteries in their own smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, test the alarms and remind friends, family, neighbors and fellow community members to do the same," said a press release from Energizer.