{"id":5484,"date":"2011-03-11T08:00:58","date_gmt":"2011-03-11T14:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.discoverclarksville.com\/articles\/?p=5484"},"modified":"2011-03-10T22:46:55","modified_gmt":"2011-03-11T04:46:55","slug":"replace-smoke-alarm-batteries-as-you-spring-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.discoverclarksville.com\/articles\/2011\/03\/11\/replace-smoke-alarm-batteries-as-you-spring-forward\/","title":{"rendered":"Replace Smoke Alarm Batteries, as you spring forward"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2018Change your clock, change your battery\u2019 for daylight saving time<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Tennessee<\/em><\/span>Nashville, TN<\/strong> \u2013 Daylight Saving Time officially begins at 2:00am Sunday, March 13th. Be sure and set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed Saturday night.<\/p>\n

As clocks move ahead this weekend for daylight saving time, Tennessee State Fire Marshal and Commerce & Insurance Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak would like to remind Tennesseans to change their homes\u2019 smoke alarm batteries, as well.<\/p>\n

\"Smoke<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201c \u2018Change your clock, change your battery\u2019 is an easy phrase to remember and practice, when you update your clocks this weekend,\u201d says McPeak. \u201cSmoke alarms, even those that are hard-wired, should have their batteries replaced regularly and be tested monthly to ensure you have the protection you need,\u201d McPeak says. \u201cUse this time to protect your home and family.\u201d<\/p>\n

A working smoke alarm will double your survival chances during a home fire, by giving you the critical time needed to escape. Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping. A fire\u2019s smoke and toxic gases can actually deepen sleep, diminishing the chances of survival.<\/p>\n

More than 90 percent of all American homes have smoke alarms, but as many as one-third of them don\u2019t work \u2013 because of old or missing batteries. It is critical to replace batteries regularly \u2013 even if they appear to be working fine. Twice a year is recommended. This helps prevent the warning, low-battery \u201cchirp\u201d emitted by alarms. All too often, alarm batteries are removed but not replaced, putting home occupants at risk. There is no way to predict when a fire will occur, and just one night in a home without a working smoke alarm can prove dangerous. Replacing batteries for daylight saving time is just one fire safety step.<\/p>\n

Here are a few more:<\/h3>\n