Time to Fall Back: Daylight Savings Ends Sunday

Daylight Saving Time in 2013 ends in the U.S. at 2 a.m. this Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 a.m.

You will be setting your clock back one hour, following the adage of “spring forward, fall back.” The “extra” hour gives you a chance to catch up on the sleep you lost in March when the clocks moved forward and Daylight Saving Time began.

The Plainfield Fire Protection District is also reminding residents that as you're changing your clocks, take a moment to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Some reminders:

• Even smoke alarms that are hard wired into your homes electrical system have battery backup within them so they can continue working during a power outage. If you home’s smoke alarms make an intermittent chirping sound that usually means the batteries are getting weak and need to be replaced. Carbon monoxide detectors that plug into a wall outlet also have battery backup. The only exception to changing the batteries in your smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors is if they came from the manufacturer with 10-year lithium batteries already installed.
• All smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years. If you installed your smoke alarms in 2003 or before they need to be replaced even if they seem to be working properly. There should a smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and in the hallway outside of bedrooms. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for properly installing, testing and maintaining the smoke alarms in your home.
• Carbon monoxide detectors need to be replaced every five years. If you installed your carbon monoxide detector in 2008 or before it needs to be replaced.  Newer carbon monoxide detectors have a built in end of life signal that will sound when the detector has reached the end of its 5 year lifespan.  Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed within 15 of feet bedrooms.  If you have bedrooms on multiple floors of your home then you’ll need additional carbon monoxide detectors to be placed within 15 feet of bedrooms on each level. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for properly installing, testing and maintaining the carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

For more information about smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors or any other fire and life safety topics please contact the Plainfield Fire Protection District at 815-436-5335 or visit us on the web at www.plainfieldfpd.com.