PRESS RELEASE “Chang your Clocks, Change your Batters”

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   2018 Daylight Saving Press release

March 9, 2018

Subject: Change You Clocks, Change Your Batteries

Contact: John A. Sahatjian Fire Chief Wall Fire District No. 3

“Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries”

It is that time again. When you change you clocks Saturday night, you will set them forward 1 hour for Daylight Savings time, you must also change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  While you are checking your batters, also test your detectors and check if there is an expiration date on them.

How important is it really?

Here are some eye opening facts from Wall Fire District No. 3 in conjunction with the members of South Wall Fire Rescue Company.

SMOKE DETECTORS

  • Three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms (38%) or no working smoke alarms (21%).
  • No smoke alarms were present in almost two out of every five (38%) home fire deaths.
  • In fires in which the smoke alarms were present but did not operate, almost half (46%) of the smoke alarms had missing or disconnected batteries.
  • Dead batteries caused one-quarter (24%) of the smoke alarm failures.
  • Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.
  • Test your smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
  • Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years.

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

  • CO is known as the invisible killer, it is colorless and odorless
  • CO affects adults, children and pets differently. If the detector is going off Call 911
  • Install a carbon monoxide detector in a central location outside each sleeping area.
  • CO sources are all over your house. Kitchen, water heater, furnace, dryer, heaters, neighboring apartments.
  • Standard smoke detectors do not detect carbon monoxide.

Some more helpful home safety tips check them out and put them to use!

  • Test your alarms in your home monthly.
  • Have a plan for your family, and practice it!
  • If your detectors go off, do not assume anything!
  • Carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors are not interchangeable. You need both!
  • Never disconnect your alarms!
  • If your detectors are more than 10 years old, you need to replace the entire unit, not just the battery.
  • A 9 volt battery can save your life.