Checking smoke detectors and Daylight Savings Time

The Ames Fire Department says Sunday's switch to Daylight Savings Time is a good time to check your home's smoke detectors.  Fire Chief Shawn Bayouth says while 85 percent of fatal fires happen in homes, the presence of working detectors improves the chances of surviving a fire by 66 percent.  Also, he says it's not enough to change the detector's batteries and make sure it's free of dust--Bayouth says they can wear out over time--generally after 10 years.  He says a sticker somewhere on the back of the detector will tell you when it was made. Also, Bayouth says as important as having working smoke detectors is having, and practicing, an home evacuation plan in case there is a fire.


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