An extra hour of shuteye is in store this weekend, but the London Fire Department is hoping Londoners won't be asleep on the job when it comes to changing smoke alarm batteries.
Fire officials are reminding homeowners who are setting clocks back by one hour when Daylight Saving Time comes to an end early Sunday morning to also replace batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
It is the law to have working smoke alarms on every storey of a home and outside of all sleeping areas. Fines for tampering with or removing smoke alarm batteries can be as high as $50,000. Homes that contain a fuel burning appliance or attached garage are also required to have working carbon monoxide alarms adjacent to all sleeping areas.
According to statistics from the Ontario Fire Marshal, there were no working smoke alarms in 56% of all home in which structural fires resulted in death, injury, or financial damage between 2011 and 2015.
"In addition to smoke alarms, everyone should have in place a home fire escape plan, outlining two ways out of every room and a meeting place outside the home to ensure that all occupants get out safely," fire officials said in a news release issued Friday.
It is recommend families practice their escape plan by holding regular fire drills.
Standard time returns at 2am on Sunday.