Perhaps you woke up this morning and remembered to set your clock forward an hour, but forgot to change or check your smoke detector batteries.
It’s not too late to take what could be a life-saving step for you and your family.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 66 percent of home fire deaths that occurred between 2003-2006 were in homes without a working smoke alarm. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.
USFA has a fire safety campaign called “Install. Inspect. Protect.” which is an effort to reduce fire deaths and injuries across the nation. Residents are urged to install smoke alarms in their homes and inspect and maintain them on a regular basis.
The agency notes that smoke alarms can also help save the lives of firefighters who would otherwise have to risk their lives by searching a burning home for residents. According to the USFA Website at www.usfa.dhs.gov/campaigns/smokealarms/, “a working smoke alarm continuously scans the air for smoke, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It never sleeps.”
State Fire Marshall and Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney pointed out that this is the perfect time for people to check or change the batteries in their smoke alarms.
“Working smoke alarms in the home save lives,” he said.
Lance Chancellor, public information officer for the Jones County Fire Council, added that “given the number of structure fires in Jones County, including one this week where a resident received burns and suffered smoke inhalation in a mobile home fire in the Powers Community, Jones County volunteer firefighters are urging residents to check their smoke detectors, replace batteries if needed and add additional smoke detectors if possible.”
State Fire Coordinator Larry Barr noted that a properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Whether you’re awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert, scanning the air for fire and smoke,” he said. “Smoke alarms must be maintained.
“A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all, so test your smoke alarm monthly by pushing the ‘test’ button, if it has one.”
According to Barr, smoke alarms are powered by a battery or are hardwired into a home’s electrical system. Hardwired smoke alarms are usually equipped with a backup battery.
“If your smoke alarm is powered by battery, the battery needs to be replaced annually unless it is a long-life battery,” he noted. “All batteries should be maintained and replaced in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance.”
Barr advises people to check their smoke alarm’s owner’s manual for user guidelines and battery replacement instructions.
Other tips from Barr include:
• Choose an annual date, such as the time change, when you will remember to maintain your smoke alarm in tip top condition.
• Check the manufacturer’s expiration date on the label, replace the batteries if needed, and clean dust away from the slots so that smoke can enter freely.
• All smoke alarms, hard-wired and battery powered, should be replaced every ten years.
“These simple steps will help ensure that you and your family will have the best chance of surviving if fire should strike,” said Barr.
Local News
Daylight Savings opportune time to check smoke detector
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