Time Change = Change the Batteries OR Your Smoke Detector

Tonight we will change the clocks back and get an extra hour of sleep. In theory. In our house, no extra sleep will be happening as LittleBrother is cutting his seventh tooth and time changes always create wonky awakening times for small children. All the same, with the changing of your clocks also comes a very important responsibility. Possibly more important than showing up on time for things.

You need to change the batteries in your smoke detector. Now.

When was the last time you changed the batteries in your smoke detector? Your answer should be when we moved the clocks forward in the Spring of 2008. If that’s not the your answer then you are already putting your family in danger. If you’re not sure how to change the batteries in your smoke detector, there are lots of “how-to’s” all over the web but it’s pretty straight forward. The biggest issue (you know, the one that everyone uses as an excuse to “do it later”) is that many use 9 volt batteries so you may have to go to the store today. I don’t care if you weren’t planning on getting out of your pajamas. Go do it. Now.

I have a bigger question though: how OLD is your smoke detector? If you don’t know, go out and buy a new smoke detector today. (Check what kind of batteries it takes before you leave the store so you don’t get home and cuss. In fact, buy an extra set for the Spring so you won’t have an excuse then.) The IAFF just released a statement saying that it might be in your family’s best interest to switch to a photoelectric smoke detector. In a piece I watched about the two, I’ve actually heard that having traditional smoke detectors and photoelectric ones in your home are your best defense. And notice my use of plurals. Do you have a smoke detector on every level of your home? Do you have one in your garage? And it’s okay to be extra-careful when it comes to smoke detectors and put one in each child’s room as well. When it comes to fire safety, you can’t be too safe. Go ahead and do it.

And do me a favor, will you? Visit your elderly grandparents, parents or an elderly person on your block and help them change their smoke detector batteries. If you live far from those people, please make a call and remind them to change their batteries. (I just did this and, yes, they told me that they would have forgotten.) If you or your relatives aren’t able to afford a smoke detector, please call your (or their) local fire department and ask if they have a program that provides free smoke detectors.

This isn’t one of those “this might be a good idea” kind of tips. This is something that you should consider mandatory in your household. Smoke detectors save lives. But they can’t do it without power. Change those batteries.

(Photo Credit: Mulad. Because? I’m too short to take a picture of our smoke detectors. Plural.)