It's that time of year to think about the one device in your home that can save your life while you sleep.
Fire Marshal Doug Perry spoke Tuesday about the need for San Diegans to check their home for alarms that detect smoke and carbon monoxide.
When it’s the time of year to turn your clocks back, firefighters encourage residents to test and possibly update their alarms.
“They do have a life span. Instead of always replacing the battery, at the 10th year you should replace the smoke alarm,” Perry said.
Carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced every 5 to 7 years he said.
Consumers can also purchase a combined smoke and carbon monoxide, Perry said.
Carbon monoxide poisonings are 100-percent preventable if you have an alarm, officials said.
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“CO detectors are state of the art. They pick up very minute amounts, so before you even start to feel the sickness, the dizziness, this feeling like you're nauseated, those detectors are going to go off,” he said.
Not only are companies manufacturing detectors that may be considered more stylish, they are also creating alerts that work differently for people at various ages.
For those interested in receiving a free First Alert alarm, the company has donated 100 alarms that San Diego Fire-Rescue will make available at Station Open Houses during Fire Prevention Week October 5 – 13.
