Don’t Just Change the Clock—Change Your Batteries!

On Sunday, November 2, 2025, Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m., so get ready to put your clocks back.

The Centre Hastings Fire Department wishes to remind everyone that as you change your clocks this weekend, change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Protect yourself and your family from fire and carbon monoxide dangers in your home. Fresh batteries are necessary to keep alarms working, so they can alert you and your family, giving you time to escape an emergency.

By practicing the following safety tips, your chances of surviving a fire will be significantly increased:

• For best protection, smoke alarms should be installed in all sleeping rooms, outside each sleeping area, and on each level of the dwelling including basements. Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed on each level of the dwelling and outside all sleeping areas.

• Once smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are installed with fresh batteries, make sure family members—especially children—know what the alarms sound like and what to do if they go off.

• After inserting a fresh battery in each smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm, push the safety test button to ensure alarms are working properly. Conduct this test monthly.

• If an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low, replace the battery immediately.

• Ensure your smoke alarms’ and carbon monoxide alarms’ sensitivity by cleaning them each month of dust and other particles.

• Replace smoke alarms that are ten (10) or more years old and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacing carbon monoxide alarms. Follow all manufacturer installation instructions, and replace malfunctioning alarms immediately.

• Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed whenever oil, propane, or wood appliances are used in the home, or if you have an attached garage.

• Plan and practice a home escape in the event of an emergency, and designate a safe meeting place outside.

• Remember: batteries of any type should never be disposed of in the garbage, as they can pose a serious fire hazard in your home, community, or landfill.