Firefighters Say: Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries!

Firefighters know the importance of home fire safety. That's why the men and women of your Los Angeles Fire Department urge you to change all of the batteries in your home smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when you change your clocks back to Standard Time this weekend.

Daylight Saving Time ends at 2:00 AM this Sunday, November 3, 2013 - and all clocks should be set back one hour - after you change the batteries in your life saving devices!

So you know about the "Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery ®" campaign, but...

Do you know when your smoke alarms should be retired?

Yes, we said "retired." Think about it. Your smoke alarms work every minute of every day. After millions of sensing cycles, they should be retired. To learn more about the service life of smoke alarms and more ways to keep your family safe from fire, please visit:

http://bit.ly/smoke_alarms

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

What Type of Smoke Alarms Are In Your Home?

Did you know there are different types of smoke alarms that are better at alerting you to different types of fires?

Ionization smoke alarms are sensitive to small smoke particles in the air, produced by fast-burning fires. Photoelectric smoke alarms use beams of light and sensors to detect larger smoke particles produced by smoldering fires.

The Los Angeles Fire Department and U.S. Fire Administration recommend dual-sensor alarms that function as both.

Since a working smoke alarm can save your life, it's important to test every smoke alarm in your home monthly by activating the test button. Change the batteries in all of your smoke alarms at least once a year, perhaps when you change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time.

And finally, your smoke alarms work every minute of every day. After millions of sensing cycles, they can become less sensitive. It is important to replace any smoke alarm in your home that is more than 10 years old.

For further information, visit:

usfa.fema.gov

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department