Turn Back the Clocks, Change Your Batteries

"Fall Back!"

This weekend, you will be turning your clocks back one hour to bid farewell to daylight savings time. On Sunday, Nov. 6 at 2 a.m., turn your clock back to 1 a.m.

It's also a good day to change the batteries in your smoke alarm. Smoke alarm batteries need to be changed at least twice a year.

Here are a few safety tips for your home:

• Install smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms so when one sounds they all sound.
• Use both photoelectric and ionization smoke alarms or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms, also known as dual sensor alarms. An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires.
• Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month by using the test button.