Sunday, November 6, 2016, 2:00:00 AM clocks are turned backward 1 hour to
Sunday, November 6, 2016, 1:00:00 AM local standard time instead
Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour earlier on Nov 6, 2016 than the day before. There will be more light in the morning.
Daylight saving time is fast approaching and that means we are about to head into winter and the holiday season. Sunday, November 6 marks the end of daylight saving time and serves as a good reminder for Oregonians to test their smoke alarms. The Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal is urging residents to test their smoke alarms before automatically changing the batteries.
“Smoke alarm technology has advanced and many now come with 10-year batteries and some are tamper-resistant,” said State Fire Marshal Jim Walker. “So, I encourage residents to test their alarms before changing the battery.”
Oregon law requires ionization-only smoke alarms that are solely battery powered to come equipped with a hush feature and a 10-year battery. Because of this technology, the national slogan “Change your clock, Change your battery” may not apply to Oregon residents who have these ionization-only smoke alarms.
Other types of alarms are also being sold with either a 10-year battery or a standard-life battery.
“Ensuring you have working smoke alarms in your home is the single most important step you can take to increase your family’s safety from a home fire,” adds Walker. “Also, be sure to replace any smoke alarm that is 10 years old or older.”
To test your alarm properly we recommend you:
1) Push the test button to be sure the battery is working.
2) When replacing batteries, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct battery type to use.
3) Always retest alarms after installing new batteries.
4) Replace any alarm that fails to operate after installing a new battery.
5) Inspect your alarms to determine if they are 10 years old or older, and replace any smoke alarm 10 years old or older. Look for a date on the back of the alarm. If there is no date, your alarm is more than 10 years old and should be replaced.
6) Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for regularly cleaning your alarms of dust and cobwebs.
Working smoke alarms provide a critical early warning to a fire, allowing you vital minutes to escape, which increase your chances of survival. Additional safety tips:
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, in each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area (hallway).
Never disconnect or remove batteries from smoke alarms for other uses.
Use the smoke alarm’s hush feature to silence nuisance alarms.
Make a home fire escape plan and practice it with family members.
Practice you home fire escape plan at least two times a year at different times of the day/night.
Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Ensure that someone will help them
Along with remembering to check your smoke detector batteries and set your clocks back it is important to think about your emergency preparedness plan. This is not just a great idea for families and schools but for businesses and communities to discuss. The first step is devising a plan for each major type of incident. This can be as simple as where you will meet, who is responsible for accounting for individuals and where the emergency supplies will be located. The next step is to work on building your emergency kit and then ensuring everyone is educated on the plans. We have attached a link to the Los Angeles Fire Department Emergency Preparedness Guide to help you through the process.
