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Spring Forward and Change Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Batteries

Release Date: March 08, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Sunday, March 10, consumers will turn their clocks forward one hour for Daylight Saving Time. As the season changes from winter to spring, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants you to spring into action and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.

Many electronic devices and appliances with clocks will adjust automatically. However, some smoke alarms and CO alarms need a few moments of your time to ensure manually they are working properly.

“As you change your clocks, change the batteries in your smoke and CO alarms. Every moment matters,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Ann Marie Buerkle. “Working alarms can alert you and your family to danger, giving more time to escape in an emergency.”

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that, in 2017, about 357,000 residential fires occurred, resulting in about 2,630 deaths, and 10,600 injuries.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas. It’s called the “invisible killer” because you cannot see or smell it. CO can come from a variety of sources, including furnaces, portable generators, and chimneys needing repair. It can quickly incapacitate you and kill you.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are more than 400 deaths every year from unintentional CO poisoning, which can come from portable generators, home heating systems, and other sources. Be sure to install CO alarms, in addition to smoke alarms, as they provide added protection. Also be sure to use and maintain properly CO producing appliances.

Ensure there is a smoke alarm on every level of the home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. CO alarms should be placed on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas. Alarms should be tested monthly and batteries changed yearly, unless the alarm has a sealed, 10-year battery.

Change the batteries in your smoke alarms and CO alarms now. Keeping your home and family safe is that easy.

Release Number
19-078

About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years. 

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.

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