Don’t forget to “spring forward” and turn your clocks ahead one hour on Sunday.
Daylight saving time officially begins at 2 a.m. March 12. That means households lose an hour of sleep but gain more light in the evening. The time change also serves as an opportune reminder for households to change batteries on all their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors when they change their clocks.
Fire Chief Terry Martin says people are generally getting the message for the most part, and have become very responsible in purchasing and maintaining smoke alarms and CO devices.
“(The time change) is a good time for everyone to change batteries,” Martin noted. “And another good thing to do this time and in the fall as well, is if they have a fire extinguisher in the house, to make sure they are fully charged and ready to go.”
Besides the twice-yearly battery check (at minimum), Martin advises that devices should be tested monthly to ensure they are operational, and replaced every 10 years.
Most fatal fires occur at night, according to Fire Prevention Canada, the national voice of fire prevention education in Canada.
Statistics show that, on average, fire kills eight people each week in Canada. Residential fires account for 40 per cent of all fires and 73 per cent of all fire deaths.
Working smoke alarms are strongly recommended in every bedroom, outside every bedroom and on each floor of a home.
Smoke alarms should not be near draft areas (windows, vents) and should be mounted on the ceiling 4 ” from the wall, and wall mounts should be 4-12” from the ceiling.