Change your clocks, change your batteries

GAINESVILLE - It's time to turn the clocks back an hour this weekend, to Standard Time, and that means it's time for a safety reminder, as well.

Hall County Fire Services says to check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms when you set your clocks back this weekend. (Standard Time returns at 2:00 Sunday morning.)

Fire Marshal Scott Cagle says many homes have smoke and CO alarms with batteries that should be replaced at least twice annually.

"The time changing can serve as a reminder to check smoke and CO alarms and change the batteries. With the development of long-life lithium battery powered alarms, the batteries have a life span of up to 10 years, so you may not need to replace this type of battery as often."

The National Fire Protection Association suggests that 90% of American homes are equipped with smoke alarms but over 50% of them are not in working condition. Earlier this week there was a house fire in Hall County which had one smoke alarm but there was not battery in the alarm.

"The key," Cagle says, "is to take a few minutes to check, test and clean your smoke and CO alarms to make sure they are functioning properly, and what better time to do this than when you change the time on your clocks."

He said it's important to remember that manufacturerâ