Change your clocks; change your batteries

With daylight saving time ending this weekend, the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department is reminding residents to check the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

The time offially “falls back” one hour at Sunday, Nov. 5 at 2 a.m.

Batteries in detectors should be changed at least once a year. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every 10 years.

To check detectors, the fire department advises:

- Press the test button on the front of the detector. If the detector does not operate, change the batteries.

- If you are experiencing a random beep, your detector may be dirty or need to be replaced.

- To check the date of your detectors, remove them from the mounting plate and look for a date on the back.

- Any detector older than 2007 should be replaced to ensure your family is safe in the event of a fire.

“Firefighters will tell you, the best thing you can do to ensure your family escapes a fire is to have a working smoke detector and practice monthly fire drills in your home,” said Coeur d’Alene Fire Department spokemsan, Craig Etherton, in a news release. “The Coeur d’Alene Fire Department will assist our elderly and disabled citizens with testing and replacing batteries. We just ask that you supply your own batteries.”

The department is also able to provide smoke detectors to families in need.

For assistance, call 208-769-2340, Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.