MFD reminds residents to check their smoke detectors as daylight saving time ends
MILWAUKEE -- As we set our clocks back an hour on Saturday night, Nov. 2, it was also the perfect time to check your smoke detectors. Working smoke detectors will save your life in the event of a fire.
Mike Ball
"Please take a moment today to check your smoke alarm and make it sure it works," said Mike Ball, Milwaukee Fire Department.
As people woke up after an extra hour of sleep on Sunday, Nov. 3, officials with the Milwaukee Fire Department asked people to use that hour to do some home safety checks.
"Today is a great opportunity to take a moment to check all of your smoke alarms, check your carbon monoxide detector, and make sure they're working properly," said Ball.
Check your smoke alarms during daylight saving time
Check your smoke alarms during daylight saving time
MFD said it's vital to have a working smoke alarm in every home. You should at least have one on the floor you sleep on, but ideally, they should be on every floor. Firefighters also wanted to remind landlords that it's a requirement in the City of Milwaukee to provide smoke detectors for tenants.
"There are homes that we go into each and every day, and they either have a smoke alarm, but it's not working, or they have no smoke alarm at all," said Ball.
MFD officials said Sunday fire deaths were on the decrease, but there's always room for improvement.
Another important thing to check is your carbon monoxide detector. Colder temperatures meant more furnaces heating up.
Check your smoke alarms during Daylight Saving Time
Check your smoke alarms during Daylight Saving Time
"After not being used all summer, they can sometimes emit a smell that's different," said Ball.
Daylight saving time ending also offered an opportunity to give your heaters a maintenance check.
Even after Sunday, MFD officials recommended you check alarms and heaters once a month.
If you can't afford a smoke alarm, the Milwaukee Fire Department will come to your home and install one for free. Please call 414-286-8980 for more information.
Check your smoke alarms during Daylight Saving Time