Just a few weeks ago there was a random chirping in my house. I could tell it emanated from an electronic source, but couldn’t pinpoint where it was coming from. I checked all my devices, computers, dishwasher (which beeps when it’s done and keeps beeping until the door is opened, coaxing me to empty it!) and just about anything that plugs in. Sadly, it took me a good part of the day to finally pinpoint the source – my smoke detector! From the dark recesses of my brain, I came to realize it was telling me it was time to replace the battery – something I “try” to remember to do as part of my Daylight Savings Checklist. When I removed the 9 volt Energizer battery, it was dated 2010. I think that’s the “good until” date. Needless to say, it was WAY beyond time for a replacement battery.
How many of you have safety devices in your home with expired batteries? Our smart devices that keep us safe are only as good as the batteries that power them. Most homes have smoke alarms and detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors. but it’s reported that 71% of smoke alarms fail due to missing or dead batteries (are you guilty of pirating batteries from one device for another?).
Since October is National Fire Protection month, along with the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Energizer is encouraging everyone to check their safety devices and ensure you’re prepared and protected. Energizer brand has partnered with IAFC for 29 years in keeping families safe through the Change Your Clock Change Your Batteries program.
For myself, I like to schedule set reminder times to keep things in order. A good time to trigger those reminders is when we change our clocks from Standard to Daylight Savings and the reverse, Daylight Savings to Standard which falls on November 6th this year. Here’s a Daylight Savings Checklist of things you might want to remember to do when you change your clocks:
• Change your batteries in the smoke alarms, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and any other smart devices in your home.
• Check your flashlights and replace batteries. Winter storms often bring power outages.
• Make sure your propane tanks are full (this is a good time especially after summer BBQing)
• Change your refrigerator water filter.
• Have a Family Safety Plan Night. Create, discuss and rehearse fire safety and emergency preparedness.
• Check your remote control batteries, and any emergency back-up batteries.
• Make sure your transistor radio is working with fresh batteries.
• Change your Atomic Clock batteries and companion batteries in remote receivers.
Take the time to think about what you use batteries for in your home, and have a plan to not get caught unprepared. Be Energized with Energizer – as batteries serve a life-saving purpose when it comes to home safety and security devices. Your family and loved ones are counting on you to keep them safe. So when you change your clocks, change your batteries.
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