Changing Daylight Saving Time Is More Than Just Changing Smoke Alarm Batteries

BATTLEFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend. And while many people are looking forward to an extra hour of sleep, it’s time to keep your home safe and adjust to your new sleep schedule.

Firefighters recommend testing your smoke alarms monthly to make sure they are in working order. However, with the upcoming time change, it is also recommended to replace the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

“Let’s make sure everything works. There are a lot of houses right now that are all connected, and if you push one of them, they will all explode at the same time,” said Kendron Hinkle, a firefighter with the Battlefield Fire Protection District.

It’s also a good idea to install a working smoke alarm in every room where someone sleeps, and another one outside the bedroom. And don’t forget about chimneys.

“Before you actually fire up your chimney or wood stove, have a professional chimney sweep come in and inspect it, do any necessary repairs, any cleaning before you fire it up,” Hinkle says.

This is also the ideal time to create or review an evacuation plan for your family in the event of a house fire.

“Having a fire evacuation plan. First of all, kids will have fun doing it and learning. Keeping that in mind so that if it explodes in the middle of the night, they know where to go, where to meet whoever is standing in front of the mailbox or in the backyard. This is usually the easiest access point for them,” Hinkle says.

And as times change, it’s important to accommodate these little ones to a new schedule.

“Start moving bedtimes in 15-minute increments until they get used to it. Keep a consistent sleep schedule as much as possible, says Jillian Schroeder, a child life specialist at Cox Health.

It is recommended to limit the time before bed and provide children with as much sunlight as possible.

“Be patient with our kids because it may take them a week or two to adjust to the time change,” Schroeder says.

With the time change to combat seasonal depression in children, try having game nights and focusing on family dinners to bond as it gets dark earlier. When it comes to the day the time changes,

“Plan for a quieter day on Sunday. To create a more relaxed atmosphere that is conducive to relaxation and relaxation for your children,” says Schroeder.

If you need a new smoke alarm or have questions about where best to install one, contact your local fire department for assistance.

If your child has trouble adjusting to the time change, talk to your pediatrician.

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