Daylight saving time started Sunday, March 10, 2024
The clocks moved forward an hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, and now is the perfect time to test home safety devices and reset sprinkler system timers. In addition to keeping you and your family safe, these semi-annual checks could save you money by reducing water consumption.
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
In addition to resetting your clocks, daylight saving time offers a fresh start to make sure your smoke alarm hasn't expired, install fresh batteries, and test them and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. When functional, these devices can double a family's chance of surviving a home fire or unsafe carbon monoxide level.
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue reminds residents to test and replace batteries in smoke alarms and CO detectors to protect their families and homes. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, two-thirds of fire-related fatalities occur in homes where there are no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Did you know?
- It is extremely important to replace smoke alarms 10 years after the alarm's manufacture date
- Unless you are using a recommended 10-year lithium battery alarm, replace your smoke alarm batteries every six months
- Listen for the smoke alarm "chirping" noise, which indicates low battery power. Replace those batteries immediately
- A working CO detector is important because carbon monoxide gas is colorless and odorless, and it silently poisons victims
When it's time to replace an expired alarm, Fire Rescue recommends a 10-year lithium battery alarm. It's a cost-effective, easy, and safe way to ensure your batteries stay fresh for the life of the alarm.
In addition to replacing smoke alarm batteries, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends the following safety measures:
- Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, inside all bedrooms, in hallways, and in your living room. Do not place a smoke alarm in your kitchen
- Keep smoke alarms clean because dust may prevent them from working properly
Residents of unincorporated Hillsborough County who do not have a smoke alarm may be eligible to have a free one installed. For more information or to request a free smoke alarm, visit Project SAFE or contact Hillsborough County Fire Rescue at (813) 272-6600.
Watering reminders
One-day-a-week watering restrictions are in effect through July 1, 2024, due to a regional 12-month rainfall deficit. All watering must be done on a specific day and hours depending on the property address and location to avoid fines and citations. Following your watering days, hours, and rules is important to help conserve the region's limited water supply.
Take a few minutes to check and reset the timer of an automatic sprinkler system and whether irrigation timers have back-up batteries that need to be replaced. For residents living in unincorporated Hillsborough County, the restrictions are enforced through Hillsborough County Code Enforcement and could mean fines of up to $500 for repeat violations. For watering restrictions details for unincorporated Hillsborough County, as well as links to information for the cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace, visit HCFL.Gov/WaterRestrictions.