The Office of Emergency Management supports the Fire/EMS initiative to “Change Your Clock-Change Your Battery/Alarm” program. The month of March brings forth new beginnings, inviting a seasonal change into Spring and Daylight Savings Time. In addition to new beginnings, March serves as a time to ensure your preparedness and the preparedness of your family as it relates to fire safety.

Sunday, March 12, 2017 marks Daylight Savings Time. As you spring forward to adjusting your clocks by one hour, be sure to change batteries in your smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms. If you have 10-year alarms and/or hard-wired alarms with 10-year back-up batteries, this practice is not required. Please note that Prince George’s County law requires that all residencies be equipped with functioning smoke and CO alarms. As of January 1, 2018, County law will also require all battery operated alarms to be converted to 10-year alarms.

In support of this initiative, on Monday, March 13, 2017, at 11:00am, PEPCO will be donating 10 year alarms to Prince George’s and Montgomery County, to assist residents in need of smoke and CO alarms. This event is scheduled to occur at Montgomery County Fire/EMS Station 718-Glenmont, at 12210 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD. County residents can also call 311 to receive a smoke alarm with free installation.