“Spring forward” and “fall back” serve as reminders for safety checks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Daylight savings time ends Sunday morning at 2 a.m., which means you’ll need to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday night or when you get up Sunday morning. According to Springfield Fire Chief David Pennington, the two times a year we set our clocks forward and back serve as a good reminder check the batteries and test smoke alarms, review fire escape plans and check fire extinguishers for signs of corrosion, missing pull pins or changes in the pressure gauge.
“It is critical to your safety that you have working smoke alarms in your home. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, in every bedroom, and outside each sleeping area,” Pennington says.
Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years, Pennington added.
This is also a good time to practice your home fire escape plan. Include at least two ways to get out of every room. Select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone can meet. Practice your plan until everyone can escape in two minutes or less.
The Fire Department provides free smoke alarms to Springfield residents. Contact the Fire Department at 417-874-2300 or [email protected] to request one.
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Media inquiries are directed to the Springfield Fire Department media line at 417-874-2301.