Protect your family: Change your clocks, change your batteries

As residents prepare to "spring" forward and move their clocks up one hour for daylight saving time this Sunday, March 12, the Lombard Fire Department encourages residents to change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

"Moving your clocks forward for daylight saving time is an excellent reminder to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms," said Fire Marshal Perry Johnson. "The simple act of changing the batteries in these devices could save your life and the lives of your loved ones.

As a reminder, an updated Smoke Alarm Law went into effect in Illinois on January 1, requiring any new smoke alarm installed within a single or multifamily home to be an alarm that features a 10-year sealed battery.

Smoke alarms installed before the law went into effect are exempt from the requirement until they are 10 years old or until they fail to respond to the self-test or otherwise malfunction.

Worn-out or missing batteries are the most commonly cited reason for nonworking smoke alarms.

However, changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, testing those alarms, and reminding others to do the same is the simplest and most effective way to reduce tragic fire injuries or deaths.

To help make sure all smoke alarms have working batteries, based on the type of smoke alarm, follow the smoke alarm safety tips below:

• Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.

• Smoke alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

• When replacing a battery, follow the manufacturer's list of batteries on the back of the alarm or the manufacturer's instructions. The manufacturer's instructions are specific to the batteries (brand and model) used. The smoke alarm may not work correctly if a different battery is used.

For more fire prevention information and resources, visit www.villageoflombard.org/204/Fire-Prevention-Public-Education or call (630) 620-5750.