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Time change provides safety reminder
Replace aging smoke alarms, not just batteries
AURORA, Ill. - With the beginning of daylight-saving time and the "spring forward" time change on March 9, along with setting their clocks ahead one hour, many people will change the batteries in their smoke alarms. However, simply replacing the batteries in some smoke alarms may not be enough to ensure protection against fire emergencies, specifically if those alarms are older than 10 years.
Studies from the National Fire Protection Association indicate one out of four alarms may not be functional due to the age of the alarm, as well as dead or missing batteries. That is why the NFPA strongly recommends replacing smoke alarms after 10 years.
"Daylight-saving time has always served as a good reminder to change the batteries in smoke alarms," said Debbie Hanson, director of external affairs for BRK Brands and First Alert. "But we need people to remember that smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years. It is imperative that smoke alarms be replaced after 10 years to ensure families are pro- tected in fire emergencies."
In addition to ensuring the best protection and earliest warning in the event of a fire, the smoke alarms available today offer new technologies and features that were virtually inconceivable 10 years ago. Some home safety products, including smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, offer technology, which allows homeowners to create a network of smoke alarms that "talk" to each other with no wiring required. When one alarm sounds, all alarms sound, giving everyone in the home a better chance of hearing the alarms and reacting quickly.
In addition, several smoke alarm models are now available with special lithium batteries that last 10 years and never have to be replaced during the recommended life of the alarm. Other features of today's smoke alarms include remote controlled muting, to quiet nuisance alarms and easy access battery compartments, which allow consumers to change or replace batteries without having to remove the alarm from the ceiling.
Fire safety education and routine maintenance of smoke alarms are the cornerstones to reducing the incidence and severity of home fires.
"One of our goals is to raise awareness about fire safety issues and help people protect themselves," Hanson said. "Replacing home smoke alarms after 10 years is as important as changing the batteries with daylight-saving time."
The following are simple steps people can take that will greatly reduce the risk of fire-related injury and property loss -
• Change the batteries in smoke alarms every six months or when the low battery signal is heard.
• Test alarms weekly using the unit's test buttons to ensure batteries and all alarm functions are working properly.
• Never remove the unit's batteries to stop an unwanted alarm or "nuisance" alarm, such as those caused by cooking smoke or burnt toast. According to the NFPA, half of the deaths in homes equipped with smoke alarms occur because the smoke alarm did not sound - usually when batteries are dead, disconnected or missing.
• Replace older smoke alarms after 10 years or in accordance with manufacturer's warranties.
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