Time Change Means Battery Changes in Emergency Alarms

North Iowans are reminded to set their clocks ahead an hour before hitting the hay tonight, as Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday morning at 2 o’clock. As we spring ahead, home safety expert Andrew Beckett says it’s the traditional time to check the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, though it could also be time to change out the devices themselves.

Studies find the risk of dying in a fire is cut by 50-percent if there’s a working smoke alarm in the house. While you’re changing your clocks, make sure to give your other safety supplies a once over. Beckett says be sure to have some essentials stored away in an emergency kit in case the power or water goes out.

Check the fire extinguishers in the house to make sure they’re still fully charged and ready for action. Beckett suggests a few other items be placed in your emergency kit.

While we’ll lose an hour of sleep this weekend, consider this, we’re also gaining an hour of sunlight.