This Weekend: Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries

Fall Back on Sunday--The Du Quoin Fire Department would like to take this time to remind everyone that Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m. this Sunday and when you turn your clocks BACK you need to change your batteries in your smoke detectors. Capt. Adam Hill says the National Fire Protection Association reports that 71 percent of smoke alarms which failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead batteries, making it important to take this time each year to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. This is also a perfect time to do some preventative maintenance to your detector. Vacuum out the detector with a soft brush attachment to remove dust and lint. Check the age of your detector, If the detector is 10 years old or older manufacturers recommend replacing the unit even if the unit still seems to be working. If you do replace your detector follow the recommendations on where to place the detector and write the date that you put the detector into service on the inside of the battery compartment to help keep track of the age of your detector. For further information, or if you have questions, please call the Du Quoin Fire Department at 542-5600.