We turn the clocks back an hour early Sunday morning.
The New Orleans Fire Department wants people to use the time change to change their smoke detectors to the most advanced equipment.
"For decades 'Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery' has been the theme," NOFD Capt. Edwin Holmes said in a news release.
However, he points out, new smoke detectors no longer us 9 volt batteries.
"Long-life, sealed lithium battery smoke alarms are now the industry standard. If you have a hard-wired alarm with a sealed lithium backup battery or a standalone alarm with a long-life, sealed lithium battery, when you change your clocks to 'Fall Back' on Sunday, November 3rd you should test your home’s smoke alarms."
Holmes says that if you don't have the newer lithium battery smoke detectors, the NOFD will give you free ones.
"If your home is protected by the old stand-alone 9-volt operated smoke alarms, please let the New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) replace these antiquated alarms with new 10yr lithium battery smoke alarms, FREE OF CHARGE. And if you have 10yr lithium smoke alarms already, check the expiration date on the back of the alarm to make sure they haven’t expired."
He says you can call the NOFD at 504-658-4714 or make a request online at the city’s website.
"Recently the NOFD has partnered with the New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) to supply and install Combination Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Alarms (Combo-Alarms), also FREE OF CHARGE, to New Orleans residents."
Holmes also urges everyone to check the expiration date on the back of smoke alarms to make sure they haven’t expired and incorporate checking your smoke alarms into a monthly home fire safety practice.
