Time to change your clocks and batteries

Clocks will spring forward one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 11 and the Milton Fire Department reminds residents to install new batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when changing their clocks.

“In order for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to do their job, they need to have working batteries,” explained Fire Chief Dave Pratt. “Once a year, old batteries should be replaced with new batteries. When you change your clocks on March 11, the Milton Fire Department wants everyone to take the time to install new batteries in all alarms.”

In order to survive a fire, you need to be provided with an early warning and know what to do when the smoke alarms sound. It’s the law to have working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. For added protection, it is also recommended to install smoke alarms inside all bedrooms.

If your home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage, carbon monoxide alarms must be installed outside all sleeping areas.

Take a few minutes to develop and practice a home fire escape plan with these simple steps. You need to know how to react before a fire happens;

• Draw a Floor Plan of your home
• Identify all possible exits and know two ways out of each room, wherever possible
• Determine who will assist those who need help
• Have a meeting place outside
• Make sure everyone is familiar with the plan and practice, practice, practice.

Tampering with or removing the batteries from your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms is against the law. Failure to comply with the Fire Code can result in a ticket for $360 or a fine of up to $50,000.

For more information, visit www.miltonfire.ca