OTTAWA — This weekend is when you turn your clocks back one hour as the nation drops off Daylight Savings Time. But Ottawa Fire Chief Jeff Carner said you should change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and test them to see if they’re working. This weekend marks the 23rd anniversary of the “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” program, he said. Everyone is encouraged to use the extra hour they “gain” from daylight-saving time to change the batteries in their own smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, test the alarms and remind friends, family, neighbors and fellow community members to do the same, he said. The message is simple and the habit can be lifesaving, he said. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are proven life-savers, he said. “The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most families are sleeping,” said Capt. Dennis Nowatzke. “Smoke alarm maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk, and a working smoke alarm can give them the extra seconds they need to get out safely.” The Ottawa Fire Department has free smoke detectors from the American Red Cross for Franklin County residents. The department can also help install smoke detectors for Ottawa residents. For more information about fire safety, call 229-3700.
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2 p.m.
