HEADLINE:

CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS ONE HOUR AHEAD THIS WEEKEND & CHANGE YOUR SMOKE DETECTOR BATTERIES

This weekend people across America will be setting their clocks ahead one hour in observance of daylight savings time, which begins Sunday, March 14^th at 2am.  This is also the time that fire departments throughout the country ask homeowners and residents alike to change the batteries in the smoke detectors throughout their homes.  Smoke detectors are one of the cheapest ways to protect your family in the event of a fire.  But that protection is only possible when the smoke detector units are kept in proper working order, and when everyone in your family knows what the smoke detector sounds like and how they should respond.

Each month, you should test to make sure that your smoke alarm is working properly.  Simply press the test button located on the face of the smoke detector and wait for the beep.  Every six months, conveniently when you change the clocks in your home, change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

The monthly testing of your smoke detectors is the perfect opportunity to conduct a family fire/evacuation drill in your home.  Every family should create and practice an E.D.I.T.H. Plan (Exit Drills in The Home) designed by all members of the household.  When families regularly practice their E.D.I.T.H. Plan, they can make sure that everyone confidently knows what to do in an emergency, be it a fire, earthquake or extreme weather situation.  In the event of an emergency, knowing how to evacuate your home safely and gather at your meeting place is the most important part.

For more information on fire prevention and emergency preparedness please refer to the North County Fire Authority website www.northcountyfire.org.