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One simple fire safety rule every home should have is regular checking of smoke detectors. Most fire departments and other safety professionals recommend that batteries should be checked and changed at least twice a year. The easiest way to remember is to do it when we adjust clocks for daylight savings. Currently, in the United States, we set clocks forward one hour the second Sunday in March and set clocks back one hour the first Sunday in November. Just wanted to take a moment to remind all of you in the US that daylight savings time begins this weekend. When you go to bed Saturday night set your clocks forward one hour. When you adjust your clocks also take a few minutes to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Smoke detectors save lives. If you do not have smoke detectors please make that a priority. Free or low cost smoke detectors are available in many areas. Free smoke detectors may be available through local fire departments, local government and insurance companies. To find if they are available in your area you can do a couple of things. You can try a web search using the term “free smoke detectors in ______” (fill the blank with your town or city). You can also call your local government information phone number or call your local fire department and ask them, just be sure to use the non emergency number.

While you are changing batteries and testing the smoke detectors, be sure that everyone in your house knows what the smoke alarm sounds like and what they should do when they hear it. Another good idea is to contact your local fire department to find out if they offer a free fire safety course. They will review with you and your family some basic fire safety rules. This is usually done in a non threatening manner with catchy phrases such as “Stop, drop roll” and “Stay low and go!”. The fire safety awareness programs will also review the importance of having exit routes planned as well as having a safe meeting place outside the home.

Changing the batteries in your smoke detector only takes a few moments. A few moments that can make a huge difference.