Sarnia Fire and Rescue has been called to its fair share of fires recently, and the service is using this weekend's time change to issue an important safety reminder.
As is the case whenever the clocks change, we're being told to check the batteries in our smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to ensure they're working.
Fire Life Safety Educator Mike Otis said it's the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every storey of your home and outside of all sleeping areas.
"You're also required to have a working CO alarm on any level where people sleep and any home with a fuel fired appliance or attached garage," said Otis. "Unfortunately, last year in Ontario, 133 people died in structure fires. Most of the time when people are dying, it's because they don't have working smoke alarms. It's absolutely crucial to have working smoke alarms in your home."
Otis said a fire could happen to anyone.
"Every city deals with basically complacency," he said. "People don't think it's going to happen to them but it happens more than people think. You really do need those working CO and smoke alarms."
Otis said it's important to know what to do in case of a fire.
"Practicing your home escape plan as a family is important," said Otis. "Have a safe meeting place outside to call 911. It's important to note that November 1 to 7 is also Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week."
Carbon monoxide is especially dangerous because it displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain and other vital organs of oxygen.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Automobile Association typically uses the fall time change to make sure residents are being safe behind the wheel.
We're reminded to keep our full vehicle lights on thirty minutes before sunset, and thirty minutes after sunrise.
If you're feeling drowsy, pull over and take a break.
Signs of fatigue can include the inability to recall the last few kilometers driven, having disconnected or wandering thoughts, and difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open.
Pedestrians are reminded to stay on the sidewalk, only cross at designated crossings, and always be aware of their surroundings.
Clocks fall back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 5.
The time shift will provide more light in the morning but it also gets darker more quickly in the evening.
