Safety reminder: change your clocks, change your batteries

Daylight saving time starts at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8. Remember to replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when you change your clocks. Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives. Ensure your alarms are functioning properly to keep your family safe.

Mark your calendar to remember to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly and replace them if they are more than 10 years old. It is also important that everyone in your home knows what to do should a smoke alarm sound. Ensure your family has an escape plan, complete with a meeting place, and practice it regularly.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarm tips:

• Install smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. Consider smoke alarms in every bedroom and additional ones for larger homes.
• Install carbon monoxide alarms outside sleeping areas and on every storey if you have fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages.
• Test alarms monthly and change batteries in spring and fall.
• Replace alarms according to manufacturer’s recommendations or if they are over 10 years old.

It is required by law that all landlords and homeowners have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. Removing or tampering with smoke and carbon monoxide devices can result in fines of up to $50,000 for an individual and/or one year imprisonment.

For more information about Oshawa Fire Services and fire prevention, visit oshawa.ca/Fire or follow @OshawaFire on X.