It’s time to ‘fall back.’ Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday and Georgians will join most of the rest of the U.S. in turning back their clocks one hour to standard time when they go to bed this evening.
As you do, public health and safety officials remind you to change your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm batteries too.
Fire safety
Smoke alarm batteries can be the difference between life and death, stresses Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King.
In 2020, fires killed 58 people in Georgia. State fire officials say 55 of them might have survived if they had had working smoke alarms in their homes.
“This translates to 95% of all fire fatalities being preventable by simple maintenance,” the commissioner’s office says.
Commissioner King recommends you test and clean dust from your smoke alarms monthly and practice an escape plan in case your home catches on fire.
CO safety
Simple installation and maintenance of a carbon monoxide detector can also protect your and your family.
More than 400 people die each year in the United States from unintentional, non-fire related CO poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This odorless, colorless gas is found in fumes produced by furnaces, vehicles, generators, stoves, lanterns, gas ranges, and by burning charcoal or wood. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned and die from breathing CO.
With the fall time change happening at the same time of year people are starting to crank up their heat, the CDC suggests now is a good time to change CO detector batteries.
“If you don’t have a battery-powered or battery back-up CO alarm, now is a great time to buy one,” the federal health agency recommends.
Other ways to protect yourself and your family from CO poisoning:
DO
- Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
- Leave your home immediately and call 911 if your CO detector ever sounds.
- Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect CO poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated.
Don’t
- Run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave the door open.
- Burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn’t vented.
- Heat your house with a gas oven.
- Use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or outside less than 20 feet from a window, door, or vent.
Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, November 7.
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