Time change serves as reminder to check smoke, carbon monoxide detectors

JACKSON, Wyo. — With clocks soon being adjusted for daylight saving time this weekend, Jackson Hole Fire/EMS says it’s a good time to also replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.

“If your alarms are more than 10 years in, it is time to get them replaced,” JH Fire/EMS said via Facebook.

According to the Wyoming Department of Health, CO is a colorless and odorless gas that kills hundreds of people every year. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion and loss of consciousness. These symptoms can be mistaken for the flu or other illnesses. Tips for how to prevent CO poisoning can be found here.

During Fire Prevention Week in October 2024, Governor Mark Gordon announced that smoke alarms can reduce the chances of dying in a home fire by 54% if they are properly installed and maintained. Fire safety experts recommend placing alarms on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Monthly alarm checks are recommended.

Leigh Reagan Smith is a wildlife and community news reporter. Originally a documentary filmmaker, she has lived in the valley since 1997. Leigh enjoys skiing, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and interviewing interesting people for her podcast, SoulRise.