Oshawa Fire Services (OFS) is reminding community members to replace the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms when they change their clocks and spring forward this weekend.
Daylight saving time starts at 2 am on Sunday, March 13 when clocks are set ahead one hour.
It is an important reminder for everyone to ensure that their smoke alarms are working properly, said an OFS statement.
Working smoke alarms save lives. For as little as $40, the cost of a smoke/carbon monoxide alarm is one of the best investments you can make to keep your family safe, it said.
It is required by law that all landlords and homeowners have working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. Removing or tampering with smoke and carbon monoxide devices can result in fines of up to $50,000 for an individual and/or one-year imprisonment.
“Mark your calendar to remember to test smoke alarms monthly and replace them if they are more than 10 years old. It is also important that everyone in your home knows what to do should a smoke alarm sound. Be sure that your family has an escape plan, complete with a meeting place, and practice it regularly.
If your home does not yet have a carbon monoxide alarm, now is the time to purchase one. The Ontario Fire Code requires every house, condo, apartment, hotel and university residence with a fuel-burning device, and any building with an attached garage, to have a working carbon monoxide alarm,” OFS said.
Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm tips:
- Install smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas of your home. For added protection, install a smoke alarm in every bedroom according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Larger homes may require additional smoke alarms.
- Install carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas if your home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage. For added protection, install a carbon monoxide alarm on every storey of your home according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly by pressing the test button. Change the batteries spring and fall.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms wear out over time. Replace alarms according to the manufacturer’s recommendations or if they are more than 10 years old.