Sunday, March 8th at 2:00 am is the time to “Spring Forward! Remember to move your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed on Saturday night. And, while you are changing your clocks forward, don’t forget to change the batteries in all of your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. It only takes a few minutes and could save the life of you and your family!
The National Fire Protection Association reports that 71% of smoke alarms which failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead batteries. This reinforces how important it is to take this time each year to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. We must do your part to ensure the batteries work properly in all your smoke alarms.
Westview-Fairforest Fire Department, as well as most fire districts, will come out and help those in our area who cannot check their smoke alarms and install them, along with a free safety home check for those who can’t afford to purchase them. If renting, be sure to speak to your landlord about replacing smoke alarms that are not working or over 10 years of age.
Here are a few things to remember when it comes to smoke alarms, detectors and fire safety.
They are the best and least expensive way to provide an early warning system.
Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.
For the best protection, equip your home with a combination of ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor alarms. An ionization alarm is more responsive to flames, while a photoelectric alarm is more responsive to a smoldering fire.
For the best protection, smoke alarms should be interconnected, so they all sound if any one of them goes off.
Install smoke alarms at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances, and be sure not the remove the batteries if it goes off while cooking, simply press the HUSH or SILENCE button.
Never paint over a smoke alarm, but dust them regularly.
Test your alarms once a month by pressing the TEST button.
Replace entire units every 10 years at a minimum, but research the manufacturer’s recommendations as some models recommend replacement every 5-7 years.
This is also a great time to go over your escape plan with your family. Get your children involved so they know the sound of a smoke alarm or detector. Make sure everyone knows the escape plan.
Prevention is the key to saving lives!