The Washington Fire Department and other agencies such as the American Red Cross are urging people to test their smoke alarms this weekend after turning the clocks forward.
With daylight saving time beginning this Sunday, Washington Fire Chief Tim Frankenberg says it’s a good time to get out the step stool or ladder and carefully change the batteries on your smoke alarms, or detectors, and ensure they are working properly.
“The recommendation from manufacturers is to check your smoke detectors monthly,” Frankenberg said. “But, statistically, we know that’s not true. People aren’t doing it. So the phrase ‘change your clocks, change your batteries’ is a way to remind them to make sure they are in place and make sure the batteries are good.”
Frankenberg said with several fatal fires occurring in the greater St. Louis region over the past few weeks, checking smoke detectors is vital.
“It’s a reminder that these are life-saving devices and it’s important to make sure they are working,” he said.
The Washington Fire Department and the American Red Cross recommend installing smoke detectors on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas. It is also important to replace smoke alarms every 10 years due to some sensors becoming less sensitive over time.
Other safety measures should be in place such as checking to make sure there are at least two ways to get out of every room in the house. Every household should also have a two-minute fire escape plan in place, which should be practiced. Make sure to choose a designated meeting spot that is a safe distance away from the house.
The Washington Fire Department is available for any citizen that needs assistance with reaching their smoke detectors to test or change batteries. Contact the fire department’s headquarters at 636-390-1020 for more information.