Local fire agencies urge changing smoke detector batteries for daylight saving time

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) says more than 2,300 people die each year in residential fires and two-thirds of those fatalities happen in homes without working smoke alarms

Mid-Missouri fire agencies are advising residents to not only change their clocks during daylight saving time, but to also change the batteries in their smoke detectors.

“Saving your life can be as simple as changing your smoke alarm batteries once a year and replacing smoke alarms every seven to 10 years,” said Danny Spry Jr., a firefighter at IAFF Local 1055 in Columbia. “Special smoke alarms are even available for those who are deaf or hearing-impaired.”

Firefighters also recommend installing a smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside of every bedroom and on each floor of the home.

“You should also install carbon monoxide alarms in your home and check them once a month,” Spry said. “Carbon monoxide fumes are poisonous and will increase the intensity of a fire if ignited.”