Eastern Standard Time returns; change your batteries and check detectors

EAST COAST —East Coast residents will turn their clocks back an hour to standard time at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6.
As we prepare to “fall back,” the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Division of Fire Safety encouraged everyone to mark the occasion as a time to test home smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and replace the batteries, if they are more than one year old.
Smoke detectors older than ten years and CO detectors older than five years also should be replaced as soon as possible.
The state said a in a release, “Everyone should test and maintain smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in their homes on a regular basis. For new homes, or homes without detectors installed, at least one of each should be placed on every floor of a home, outside of all sleeping areas, and in the basement. For better protection, it is also suggested that detectors be installed in each bedroom.”