The Alarming Truth.
Smoke alarms save lives. Having a properly installed and maintained smoke alarm plays a major role in reducing fire fatalities and injuries. They make residents aware of potential danger and alert them to get out of the house as quickly as possible. Many people don’t think a fire would ever happen to them-until it does. Fires spread exponentially and temperatures can get up to 600 degrees in just a matter of minutes. The thick black smoke and toxic gases give you a very short time to escape safely. As soon as you hear your smoke alarm or see/smell smoke, get out!
The NFPA recommends each home has smoke alarms installed inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home. Make sure your smoke alarms are installed and working properly.
MAINTENANCE
A smoke alarm only works when it is properly installed and maintained. Depending on how your smoke alarm is powered (9-volt, 10-year lithium, or hardwired), you’ll have to maintain it according to manufacturer’s instructions. General guidelines for smoke alarm maintenance: Smoke alarm powered by a 9-volt battery – (TEST MONTHLY)
- Replace the batteries at least twice per year.
- The entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced every 10 years.
Smoke alarm powered by a 10-year lithium (or “long life”) battery – (TEST MONTHLY)
- Since you cannot (and should not) replace the lithium battery, the entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Smoke alarm that is hardwired into the home’s electrical system – (TEST MONTHLY)
- The backup battery should be replaced at least twice per year.
- The entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced every 10 years.
The start and end to Daylight savings time can be a great reminder to change the batteries in your smoke alarms. Even the alarms in newer units that are hardwired into the homes electric have a battery to use as backup so don’t forget to change these as well. This year Daylight savings time ends on Sunday, November 6th REMEMBER CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS, CHANGE YOUR BATTERIES!
