Change your clocks, change your batteries Published March 9, 2016 By 66th Civil Engineering Division Fire Emergency Services HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- It's the time of year to "spring forward" and set clocks ahead at 2 a.m. Sunday morning as part of daylight saving time. At the same time, officials from the 66th Air Base Group Fire Prevention Services encourage everyone to change the batteries in all of their home's smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 60 percent of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or not properly working smoke alarms. "A dead battery in a smoke alarm is ineffective," said Glenn F. Haffner, chief of Prevention and Life Safety. "To remain safe, replacing batteries in all smoke alarms throughout the home should be done at least once a year." In addition, he suggests that smoke alarms should be tested once a month and if an alarm "chirps," warning the battery is low, replace the battery immediately. When finished changing batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, Haffner encourages placing the plastic clip on used batteries or place a piece of electricians tape over the leads in order to prevent a possible fire. He also suggests that old batteries are recycled, not just thrown in the trash. Finally, when changing the battery, he suggests personnel note the date of manufacture on their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Generally, those battery-operated devices are only good for seven to 10 years and should be replaced after seven years, he said More fire safety tips are available on NFPA's webpage at www.nfpa.org/safety-information.