SARASOTA COUNTY – Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 5 and Sarasota County Fire Department personnel are reminding the public that it’s a great time to take safety precautions that could help protect your loved ones and your homes.Approximately 70 percent of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or non-working smoke alarms, so the end of daylight saving time also marks the time to check batteries in smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms can save lives and a properly installed and maintained smoke alarm in a home will provide an early warning signal to residents, providing them with a chance to escape.
According to Sarasota County Fire Chief Michael Regnier, these safety tips could save lives:
- Install smoke alarms on every level of the home. For extra safety install smoke alarms both inside and outside any sleeping areas, especially if you sleep with the bedroom door closed.
- Make a habit to replace the batteries in smoke alarms when adjusting clocks for the time change.
- Keep smoke alarms clean. Dust can interfere with how smoke alarms work. Regularly vacuum over smoke alarms.
- The “chirping” noise made by a smoke alarm may mean its battery power is low. Replace the battery right away.
- Replace smoke alarms every 10 years. They do wear out, so write the purchase date with a marker on the back of the smoke alarm. Then it will be easier to know when it should be replaced.
For additional information regarding weather radios, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000. If you cannot afford a smoke alarm or for information on smoke alarms, contact Sarasota County Fire Prevention Office at 941-861-2290.