Residents Encouraged to 'Change Your Clock - Change Your Battery'

In anticipation of daylight-saving time ending on Sunday, Nov. 4, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue is urging everyone to Change Your Clock — Change Your Battery in both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in their homes.

Already this year, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue has responded to more than 450 residential fire calls. Recognizing that working smoke alarms and CO detectors double a family’s chance of surviving a home fire and/or an unsafe carbon monoxide level, Hillsborough County Fire Marshal Steve Kendrick said the resetting of clocks is a great opportunity for families to install fresh batteries.

“This simple step can help us avoid tragedies in the place we feel the most secure — our homes,” he said.

Along with working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, home escape plans are another way our residents can avoid injury or death in their homes. By identifying at least two different escape routes, families can practice the plan together — before an emergency strikes.

Practicing the plan helps educate younger children to the danger of hazardous situations and the importance of recognizing that the sound of a smoke alarm or CO detector signals a potential hazard in the home.

“Changing the battery in your smoke alarms and CO detectors, along with developing and practicing a home escape plan, are two of the best ways to protect your loved ones and yourself from fire and carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Kendrick.

If you live in unincorporated Hillsborough County, own your home, and do not currently have a smoke alarm, you may be eligible for one. You may contact the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Prevention Office at 813-744-5541. 

Also, the Hillsborough County Public Utilities Department reminds residents to check the timer on automatic sprinkler systems, to avoid a fine for watering at the wrong time. If your system has a back-up battery that you haven’t changed in awhile, now would be a good time to do that as well.

Violating water restrictions could mean a penalty starting at $100.