Hennepin County Sheriff: Change Your Clocks, Check Safety Devices

Editor's Note: The following is a Hennepin County Sheriff's Office newsletter.

Daylight Saving ends on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2 am. Set your clocks back one hour.

The biannual changing of the clocks for Daylight Saving Time is also a great time to check on your family’s preparedness. Please do the following:

• Test the smoke alarms in your home and at work. Don’t forget to test your carbon monoxide alarms, too. Replace the batteries if needed.
• Check the emergency kit in your vehicle.
• Update the emergency contact information in your family’s communication plan. Choose an out-of-area emergency contact that each person in your family can call contact if he/she becomes separated during a disaster situation.
• Make sure that your emergency preparedness kit still includes at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water (a minimum of one gallon per person, per day), a flashlight, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a multi-purpose tool, first aid kit, copies of important documents, and special items such as medications, diapers, and infant formula.
• Check your emergency preparedness kit for expired food items and freshen staples such as water, food and batteries. If there have been changes in prescriptions or dietary needs, adjust your supplies as needed.

(SOURCE: American Red Cross)