Using Daylight Saving to Save Lives

As Montgomery County begins daylight-saving time on Sunday, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue urges residents to take a minute while changing household clocks to check up on fire preparedness.

“Smoke alarm maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths,” said Fire Chief Richard Bowers. “Children and senior citizens are most at risk and a working smoke alarm can give them the extra seconds they need to escape safely.”

MCFR provided several fire safety tips in a press release:

• Replace the batteries of smoke alarms and carbon monozide detectors
• Test alarms once a month using the test button.
• Replace the entire alarm if it’s more than 10 years old or doesn’t work properly when tested.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, and both inside and outside of sleeping areas.
• Make sure everyone in your home understands the warning of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.
• Take time to review your fire escape plans with your family and practice with a home fire drill.

If you need any assistance with fire escape planning or smoke alarms, call 311 to schedule a free evaluation by fire department representatives.