On Saturday night we move our clocks back one hour as Daylight Savings Time ends.
At this time, we are reminded to change the batteries in our smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
When was the last time you replaced your smoke or carbon monoxide detector?
Smoke detectors only have a life span of 10 years and carbon monoxide detectors only last 5-7 years on average.
If you can’t remember the last time you replaced these essential safety devices, now is the perfect time to replace them.
Changing the batteries, or installing new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is a great opportunity for parents to teach their children to not be afraid of these alarms. The last thing a parent wants their young child to do is run and hide because they’re frightened of the alarm’s noise.
Tips to help educate your children:
- Have your children ‘help’ you change the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Explain to your children why it’s important that these batteries are changed regularly.
- Prepare your child for a very loud noise and have them press the tester button, so they are aware of the sound.
- Have a conversation with your children about what they should do if they hear the fire alarm. (If you don’t have a fire safety plan for your home, now is the perfect time to create one!)
- Demonstrate to your children what they should do if they hear the fire alarm.
- Re-enforce your family’s fire safety plan by calmly and regularly discussing it with your children.
You don't want to scare your children about a house fire or carbon monoxide alarm, and this can be avoided by approaching the subject factually and regularly.
At Gibb Insurance we believe:
The better you prepare for a disaster, the less likely it will happen.