With Daylight Saving Time beginning Sunday, March 8, the Attleboro Fire Department reminds residents to move their clocks ahead one hour and take a few minutes to check their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.
Working alarms provide early warning during a fire or CO emergency, giving residents the time they need to get out safely.
Residents should:
✔️ Test each smoke and CO alarm
✔️ Replace batteries if the device uses them
✔️ Make sure alarms are installed on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas
✔️ Check the manufacturing date on each alarm
According to the National Fire Protection Association, about three out of five fire deaths nationwide occur in homes where smoke alarms are missing or not working.
Fire officials recommend replacing smoke alarms every 10 years. Carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced every 5–10 years, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Only detectors that are third-party tested and certified, such as those tested by UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or ETL / Intertek, should be used.
Taking a few minutes to check your alarms can help protect your family.