by Steven A. Melnick — Since 2007, we change our clocks back to Standard Time from Daylight Savings Time on the first Sunday in November. As the saying goes, spring ahead, fall back. So on November 7 at 2:00am, the time changes to 1:00am. This is the time of year to also change the batteries in your smoke detectors. Underscored by a recent tragic house fire in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where one adult and four children ages 2-4 died, the focus on fire safety is all too real. According to fire investigators, a space heater triggered the fire but the smoke detectors in the home were not in working condition.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that families should develop and practice a fire escape plan for the home. The NFPA says that smoke alarms in the home cut the number of deaths by half. They recommend that you change the batteries in your smoke detectors twice a year or whenever they “chirp” to indicate a low battery. If you can’t afford smoke detectors, contact your local fire department. They may know of funds/programs available to help you obtain them.
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