Daylight-saving time ends Saturday, Nov. 2 and you get an extra hour to do something that could keep you and your family safe. Minneapolis Emergency Preparedness would like to remind you that as you switch your clocks over, make it a point to change the batteries in your home smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and emergency flashlights.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, although 96 percent of American homes have smoke alarms, 19 percent (or about 25 million homes) do not have a working smoke alarm, mostly due to dead or missing batteries.
Also, as of Aug. 1, 2008, Minnesota has a carbon monoxide alarm law that requires carbon monoxide alarms in all single-family homes, and in all residential construction built after Jan. 1, 2007. Multi-family dwellings must have carbon monoxide alarms installed by Aug. 1, 2009. In rental situations, the landlord is responsible for installation and the tenant is responsible for maintenance.
See the Department of Public Safety News Release for more information on carbon monoxide detectors.
Oct. 31, 2008