MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin residents heading to bed on Halloween night should avoid playing a trick on themselves the next morning, by remembering to set their clocks back an hour before daylight saving time ends. The time change is also a great opportunity to perform safety checks that could help save lives during an emergency.
“Getting ready for the time change on Sunday morning provides a great opportunity to make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly, and that emergency kits are fully stocked with essential supplies,” said Dr. Darrell L. Williams, Wisconsin Emergency Management administrator. “Taking these steps now can help ensure you and your family are alerted to any danger in your home and are able to get to safety quickly when there’s danger.”
Smoke detectors help alert you to a fire in your home. According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of every five home fire deaths occurred when smoke detectors were either not present or were not working properly. Detectors should be tested monthly and the batteries should be replaced at least once a year. The device itself should be replaced every 10 years.
In addition to smoke detectors, make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors. Approximately 500 people are treated at hospital emergency rooms across the state annually for carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Wisconsin Environmental Public Health Tracking Program. Health officials say many of these cases could be prevented by having working carbon monoxide detectors. Those devices should be replaced every five years.
If you have an emergency kit at home, now is also a great time to check for expired products or items that may have been borrowed for other purposes and need to be replaced. Pay attention to batteries, first aid supplies, and food, which should be replaced regularly. Having a well-stocked kit is important, in the event you lose power or are unable to leave home.
Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 a.m.
For tips on emergency preparedness visit http://readywisconsin.wi.gov. You can also follow ReadyWisconsin on Facebook and Twitter.
