Think safety when changing your clocks and batteries

A timely reminder from city fire officials as we get set to turn back the clocks an hour before bed Saturday night.
Fire Prevention Captain Sheri Korn says ‘Change Your Clocks – Change Your Batteries’ in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
“Even though when we press the test button and the sound may alert us, it doesn’t mean that the sensors are working as well as they should so it’s really important that we replace the batteries at least annually,” she says.
Korn also says check for the expiration date on the equipment.
“Smoke alarms typically last up to ten years and carbon monoxide alarms only last seven years,” she says.
“The reality of the situation is that fires are burning a lot hotter and a lot faster, and a room can reach flash over now in well over three minutes. Having a working smoke alarm means those precious seconds really do help save lives in a fire situation,” she says.
North Bay Fire & Emergency Services reminds everyone that the Ontario Fire Code requires smoke alarms to be installed on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas.
Carbon monoxide alarms are required outside all sleeping areas if the home has a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage.
For more information about smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, or fire safety go to: https://fire.cityofnorthbay.ca/

(photo by station staff)