Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries

Punxsutawney Phil the Groundhog may have seen his shadow this year, but six more weeks of winter doesn’t mean Daylight Savings Time is delayed by six weeks. The San Bernardino County Fire Department is reminding residents that not only is it time to change clocks, but it's also time to change batteries. On March 8, Daylight Savings Time was observed - and county fire officials are reminding residents that while phones, computers and tablets may change themselves, residents should remember to change their smoke alarm batteries. Alarms should be installed on every floor of the home, in every bedroom and outside all sleeping areas. Installed smoke alarms should also be tested monthly and batteries should be changed every year. County fire officials also remind residents to have an evacuation plan practiced by everyone and a safe meet up location. Residents should remember to never go back into a burning building; inform dispatchers of missing persons when 911 is called. Batteries from household smoke alarms may be recycled at the nearest household recycling facility. For a list of household hazardous waste locations and additional fire safety information, visit www.sbcfire.org.