As daylight saving time starts this week, the CPSC is encouraging us all to make sure we replace our batteries in both smoke and carbon monoxide detector alarms.

The CPSC estimates an average of 386,300 residential fires in settings in a year, with a total of nearly 2,400 deaths between 2006 and 2008. Two-thirds of deaths caused by a fire are due to a lack of smoke alarms. Needless to say, replacing your batteries every years is crucial and testing alarms on a monthly basis very necessary.

An estimated annual average of 183 unintentional non-fire CO deaths occurred between 2006 and 2008. Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of fuel in various products that can include furnaces, portable generators, fireplaces, cars, and charcoal grills. On top of that, it is colorless and odorless, making it a lot more difficult to recognize when present.

So as you change the rest of the clocks on your walls today, make sure you do the same with every alarm detector!

To read the original press release, visit http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12127.html

To read on fire prevention, visit https://safetylinks.net/index.php/training/safety-courses-for-all-industries/fire-extinguisher-training-hands-on