KANKAKEE – With daylight saving time coming to an end this weekend, State Senator Patrick Joyce is reminding households to check and change their smoke detector batteries.

“As we set our clocks back, it is a good reminder to test and replace batteries in your smoke detectors to keep your families safe,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “This helpful tip can help save lives.”

If residents find an alarm that is not working or is expired, replace the alarm immediately with a new 10-year sealed battery alarm. Joyce also reminds families it is a great time to review their household’s fire escape plan.

Between the years 2014-2018 the National Fire Protection Association reports that almost three out of every five home fire deaths in the U.S. resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or non-working smoke alarms. The chances of dying in a home fire was reduced by 55% in homes where working smoke alarms are present.

“In cases of household fires, our smoke detectors serve as our first line of defense,” said Joyce.  “It’s a simple way to help keep your family members and pets safe from harm.”

For more information about fire safety, visit the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance website.