Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 2 AM. As you change your clocks forward, residents are reminded to change the battery in their smoke alarms, CO alarms and NOAA All Weather Radios. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 96% of all U.S. households have at least one smoke alarm and 75% of all U.S. households have at least one working smoke alarm. However, each year, in the U.S., more than 3,000 people die in home fires; most are homes without a working smoke alarm. In 2009 – 2013, approximately 59% of reported home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. These deadly fires often occur late at night and early morning when individuals are sleeping. In more than 38% of the home fire deaths, no smoke alarms were present; in 21% of the home fire deaths the smoke alarms were present but failed to sound. When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually the result of missing, disconnected or dead batteries. According to NFPA, households with smoke alarms that do not work substantially outnumber households with no alarms. Smoke alarms provide occupants with an early warning allowing them additional time to escape. When properly installed and maintained, smoke alarms save lives and protect against injury and loss due to fire. You double your chances of surviving a home fire with working smoke alarms compared to homes without working smoke alarms.
To keep you and your family safe follow these life-saving smoke alarm tips:
Place a smoke alarm on every level of your home including the basement and inside and outside sleeping areas.
Check smoke alarms monthly by pushing the test button. If you cannot reach the button easily, use a broom handle.
Change the batteries in your alarms at least once a year or each time you change your clock. (spring forward, fall back).Replace with manufacturer recommended battery types.
Do not remove the batteries from your smoke alarms to put in other appliances.
The life span of a smoke alarm is 8-10 years and the entire alarm should be replaced during this time.
Hard-wired smoke alarms with battery back-ups need to be tested monthly and batteries replaced yearly.
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Keep smoke alarms clean. Vacuum or dust your smoke alarms according to manufacturer’s directions to keep them working properly.
Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do in the event it sounds.
Smoke alarms can often sound while cooking or taking a shower that emits large amounts of steam.
If a smoke alarm sounds during these types of activities, do not remove or disable the battery; creating a minor fix that can lead to a deadly mistake.
Instead you should:
Open a window or door and press the “hush” button, Wave a towel at the alarm to clear the air, or Move the entire alarm several feet away from the location. Smoke Alarms for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing According to USFA, there are 11 million deaf or hard of hearing Americans who are unable to rely on traditional audible smoke alarms to alert them of fire. But they can rely on vibrating alarms or visual alarms equipped with flashing strobe lights. It is vital that this audience is aware of the availability of these types of smoke alarm devices as well as the importance of a proper escape plan. For more information on smoke alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing contact the Hearing and Loss Association of America at 301-657-2248. Carbon Monoxide Alarms According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 95% of U.S. homes have at least 1 working smoke alarm while only 42% have a working CO alarm. Each year, more than 150 people die in the U.S. from unintentional, non-fire related CO poisoning. Known as the silent killer due to its odorless and colorless form, CO can reach dangerous levels of carbon monoxide inside your home. Like smoke alarms CO detectors should be installed on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area. Test them once a month and change the batteries when you change your clocks; spring forward or fall back. Like smoke alarms, various manufacturers offer CO alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing. Additional Life-Saving Tips Develop and practice, regularly, a home fire escape plan and be sure everyone in your household knows what to do and where to go in the event there is a fire. NOAA All Hazard/Weather Radio
When changing the batteries in your smoke alarms and CO alarms, it’s also important to change the batteries in your NOAA All Hazard/Weather Radio. Hazardous weather conditions can develop at any time – Being Informed and Being Prepared – is your best defense!
For More Information
More information about these and other emergency preparedness topics/planning/risks may be obtained by visiting the DES web page at www.wicomicocounty.org/ES or calling 410-548-4820. Go to the QUICK LINKS section on the right side of the DES web site and select ESPANOL to the have the web site translated to Spanish or select KREYOL AYISYEN to the have the web site translated to Haitian Creole
