Time to Change your Clocks and the Batteries in all Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Clocks will spring forward one hour at 2am on March 10 and the Arnprior Fire Department is recommending residents install new batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when they change their clocks.

“In order for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to do their job, they need to have working batteries,” explained Fire Prevention Officer Bob Smith. “Once a year, old batteries should be replaced with new batteries. When you change your clocks on March 10, Arnprior Fire Department wants everyone to take the time to install new batteries in all alarms and press the test button to ensure they function as intended.”

If your alarms have internal 10 year batteries, you can test your alarms by pressing the test button.

In order to survive a fire, you need to be provided with an early warning and know what to do when the smoke alarms sound. Working smoke alarms are required on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. For added protection, it is recommended to also install smoke alarms inside all bedrooms. 

Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed outside all sleeping areas if your home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage.

Tampering with or removing the batteries from your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms is against the law. Failure to comply with the Ontario Fire Code can result in a ticket for $360 or a fine of up to $50,000. 

For more information contact:

Arnprior Fire Department

(613) 623 4231 ext. 2