Change Clocks, Change Smoke Alarm Batteries

Nova Scotians will turn back their clocks this weekend, and that's a good time to also change the batteries in smoke alarms.

Nova Scotia's fire marshal, Robert Cormier, said linking the job to changing the clocks helps people remember the task.

"Battery replacement is the easiest and most important maintenance to be done on a smoke alarm," he said today, Oct. 28. "Smoke alarms should also be replaced every 10 years."

When battery power is low, most smoke alarms emit a brief chirping sound. Mr. Cormier said owners should not depend on that.

"Many people hear the chirping and disconnect the battery, with the good intention of replacing it later," he said. "Often, the battery is forgotten and the alarm offers no protection at all."

Changing the battery when the time changes will prevent most alarms from chirping and will ensure a high level of protection. Smoke alarm operation should be checked once per month.

FOR BROADCAST:

Nova Scotians will turn back their clocks this weekend.

That's a good time to also change the batteries in smoke

alarms.

Nova Scotia's fire marshal, Robert Cormier, says linking

the job to changing the clocks helps people remember the task.

He says battery replacement is the easiest and most

important maintenance to be done on a smoke alarm.

He also says smoke alarms should be replaced every 10

years.