It's Time to 'Fall' Back -- and Change the Batteries, Too

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, at 2 a.m. to be exact.

And, as is tradition, the and others urge people to change the batteries in their smoke and carbon dioxide detectors at the same time. Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a fire by 50 percent, statistics show.

Plainfield Fire Inspector Mary Ludemann also says smoke detectors should be installed on every level of a house, including the basement, and should be located in the hallway outside of bedrooms and in every bedroom. They should be tested monthly and replaced every 10 years to ensure they function properly.

State law mandates that every house have at least one carbon monoxide detector within 15 feet of bedrooms, Ludemann said. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas found in combustion fumes. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include a headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. 

This is also a good time to ensure your family has a home escape plan in case of fire, identifying two ways to get out of every room (including windows) and having an escape ladder for upper stories, Ludemann said.

For more information, go to http://www.usfa.fema.gov/campaigns/smokealarms/.

Contact Ludemann at 815-436-5335 and mkludemann@plainfieldfpd.com.