Sunday: Change Your Clocks, Change Your Smoke Alarm Batteries

When you “spring forward” and set your clocks ahead one hour this Sunday, March 11, follow the Pasadena Fire Department’s advice and check all your smoke alarm batteries, too.

Each year, across the country, lives are lost in house fires due to smoke alarms that didn’t sound because of dead or missing batteries. 

Once you make sure the batteries are fresh and installed properly, test your alarms every month to make sure the devices still work. A typical smoke alarm will work for 10 years; after that, replace it.

This is also a good time to create a family emergency plan so everyone knows how to respond when the smoke alarm sounds.Locate all possible exits from your home, plan for family members who have special needs, such as seniors, people with disabilities, children and pets, and find out where your utility shut-offs for water, gas and electricity are located and how to work them.

For a full range of information about how to prepare for and respond to emergency situations, visit the Pasadena Fire Department online at www.cityofpasadena.net/fire.