Change your Clocks – Change your Batteries

On November 7, when we change our clocks we will “fall back” ending daylight savings time. In addition to the extra hour of sleep, the Fire Service along with the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Energizer batteries have used this event to remind people to change the batteries in their Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms. By ensuring that the batteries in these life-saving tools are fresh, you can double your chances of surviving a home fire.

Having a working smoke detector in your home doubles your chances of surviving a fire in your home,” said Alan Zygmunt the Public Fire and Life Safety Coordinator at the Connecticut Fire Academy. “The cost of replacing the batteries in all of your detectors is a small price to pay for your family’s safety.”

According to the National Fire protection Association (NFPA);

  • A closed door may slow the spread of toxic smoke, heat and fire. “Close before you Doze”
  • Install smoke alarms in every bedroom and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. 
  • Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound. 
  • Test your smoke and CO alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
  • When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
  • Replace all smoke or CO alarms in your home every 10 years.

In addition to checking our Alarms, now is a good time to review and practice your family’s home escape plan. Understanding ways out of the home, an outside meeting place and how to notify emergency agencies are critical pieces of information for the whole family. For more information on creating a home escape plan go to: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education.

The Connecticut Fire Academy is the teaching arm of the Connecticut Commission on Fire Prevention and Control. Part of their mission is educating the public in fire and burn prevention.

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