When Daylight Saving Time comes to an end this weekend, Londoners will need to change not only their clocks, but also the batteries in their smoke alarms.
The London Fire Department issued the semi-annual reminder ahead of the return to Standard Time early Sunday morning.
"Smoke alarms are so important because it's your first line of defence. It tells you when there is a fire or possible fire and to get out and stay out," said Platoon Chief Colin Shewell. "This time of year with the clocks turning back it is always a great reminder to change those batteries in all of your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms and then test them to make sure they are working."
Even alarms that are hardwired into homes often have battery backup systems that will require fresh batteries, Shewell noted.
While many people may not realize it, both devices have a best before date on them to ensure they don't go past their prime working condition.
"We recommend five to seven years for carbon monoxide alarms to be replaced. Smoke alarms are ten years. What I tend to say is if they are yellow, they need to be replaced," said Shewell.
It is the law to have working smoke alarms on every storey of a home and outside of all sleeping areas. Fines for tampering with or removing smoke alarm batteries can run up to $50,000. Homes that contain a fuel-burning appliance or have an attached garage are also required to have working carbon monoxide alarms adjacent to all sleeping areas.
Clocks fall back by one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday.
More information on laws surrounding smoke or carbon monoxide alarms can be found by clicking here.
