Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries

Nov 03, 2017

Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 5, which means it is time to "fall back" and set clocks back one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night.

When you are changing your clocks around the house this weekend, it is also a great time to check your smoke alarms and change batteries, if needed.

Here are some other ways you can be sure your home is prepared for emergencies:

• Smoke alarms: push the "test" button to make sure the alarms are working.  You should test all of your alarms monthly and know when alarms need to be replaced.
• If you don't have smoke alarms, please install them! At a minimum, put one on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Sioux Falls Fire Rescue has covereage maps for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Carbon monoxide detectors: test monthly and know when they need to be replaced.
• Practice an escape plan. Everyone in the house should know how to get out of every room and how to get out of the home in less than two minutes.
• Keep disaster supplies in an easy-to-carry bag to use at home or carry in case ordered to evacuate. The American Red Cross has tips for a disaster kit.
• Make a plan. Be sure everyone in your house knows what steps to take if an emergency occurs.
• Be informed. Learn what emergencies can occur in the area and how officials notify residents should a disaster occur.

Sioux Falls Fire Rescue has more information to help keep your home safe.

Enjoy that extra hour of sleep this weekend!