Change Your Clocks and Smoke Alarm Batteries This Weekend

By Staff – 31 Oct ’14

Firefighters at Cheyenne Fire & Rescue remind everyone that with the end of Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, November 2 this is a good time to change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

“National fire statistics show that 40 percent of all home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms, and that 23 percent of fire deaths occur in homes where a smoke alarm was present but did not operate correctly,” said Byron Mathews of Cheyenne Fire & Rescue. “A smoke alarm can save your life and those of your loved ones. They are very important means of preventing house and apartment fires fatalities by providing an early warning signal – so you and your family can escape.”

According to Mathews, changing the batteries is easy as taking the alarm off the wall or ceiling and finding the battery storage area, taking off the cover and replacing the batteries. You should test your alarm after you replace the batteries.

“Remember, all smoke and carbon monoxide alarm units should be replaced every 8 to 10 years,” Mathews said. “If you can’t afford an alarm, Cheyenne Fire & Rescue has a program to provide low-income families with assistance by providing smoke detectors and installation.”

For more information, call the Cheyenne Fire & Rescue Administration Office at 637-6311.