Change Your Clocks = Change Your Batteries

Every day, fire departments across this country run call after call for house fires where the smoke detectors were not working. According to the US Fire Administration, three out of every five home fire deaths have occurred in homes where there was no working smoke detector.

Change your clocks - change your batteries is an easy reminder that when we change our clocks for daylight savings time, we want to make sure we maintain our smoke detectors. The first line of maintenance is that we change the batteries and check our detectors to make sure they function.

It is March. We just changed our clocks. Let's make sure our detectors are operating and will operate until Octoer, when the clocks change again. As long as we have a working smoke detector the risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half!

Here are some additional tips in regards to fire safety. These tips are provided by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).

1. Be sure to close the door. This is another campaign initiative altogether. A closed door dramatically prevents the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. 

2. Be sure smoke alarms are installed in every sleeping area. To understand what a sleeping area is, please review the video above. Alarms are also required outside of sleeping areas and on every floor. 

3. Test your smoke alarm each and every month!

4. Create a plan for your family. When a smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out. However, when you are out, you need a place where everyone can be accounted for. This is for your safety and the firefighter's safety. A firefighter will go to great risk if he/she knows there is the potential to save a life. 

5. Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years. 

Oh, by the way, if you know of someone who would appreciate the level of service I provide, please call me with their name and business number. I’ll be happy to follow up and take great care of them.

RESOURCES

 
U.S. Fire Administration - *https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/smoke_alarms.html
National Fire Protection Agency - **https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Smoke-alarms