End of Daylight Saving Time serves as fire safety reminder

posted on 11/1/2024

As clocks fall back on Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 a.m., Dover Fire and Rescue encourages residents to use the end of Daylight Saving Time as a moment to prioritize fire safety. This annual time change is an ideal opportunity to replace and test batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

"One small step can save lives," said Dover Fire Chief Perry Plummer. "Checking and changing batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, especially during the clock change, is a simple habit that can protect you, your loved ones, and your community."

Dover Fire and Rescue reminds residents that nearly 80 percent of fire fatalities involving children occur in homes without functioning smoke alarms. Plummer emphasized, "This tragic statistic could be lowered significantly if everyone made a habit of testing alarms and ensuring batteries are fresh. Even with hardwired alarms, updating the batteries helps prepare for unexpected power outages."

The National Fire Protection Association reports that 71 percent of non-functioning smoke alarms had dead or missing batteries. Simple actions like replacing batteries once a year, testing alarms, and encouraging friends, family, and neighbors to do the same can help reduce preventable injuries and fatalities.

"Home fire fatalities often peak overnight, between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when people are asleep," Plummer noted. "Proper smoke alarm maintenance offers crucial protection, particularly for children and older adults, who may need those extra seconds to escape safely."

Working smoke alarms double the chance of survival in a home fire.

For additional information about smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, visit https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prepare-for-fire/smoke-alarms/, or contact Dover Fire and Rescue at 603-516-6148.