MADISON, Wis. – As daylight saving time comes to an end on Nov. 2, it is time to fall back on safety and emergency preparedness. ReadyWisconsin encourages people to take this opportunity to protect what matters most.
“When clocks change twice a year, it’s the perfect time to check and refresh preparedness measures that keep us safe,” said Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle. “This seasonal shift allows us a moment to make sure we are ready for the unexpected, from house fires to power outages.”
Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 2 At 2 a.m., clocks will fall back an hour to standard time.
Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms could mean the difference between life and death. They help alert you to danger whether it is smoke from a fire or harmful invisible gas leaks from furnaces and other appliances. Take time to:
- Test all alarms in your home.
- Replace batteries in these alarms at least once a year.
- Check the manufacture date on your alarms. Carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced around every five to seven years. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
As heating systems kick into full gear, it is important to take precautions to prevent home fires. Have furnaces and chimneys professionally inspected. If you use a space heater, make sure they are at least three feet away from anything that is flammable. If your furnace or HVAC was impacted by flooding this summer, make sure it is inspected as there could be risks with damaged equipment or mold growth within your systems.
If you have an emergency kit at home, this weekend is also a great time to check for expired products or items that may have been borrowed for other purposes and need to be replaced. Pay attention to the expiration dates on batteries, first aid supplies and food.
