Local 1253 Cranbrook firefighters remind you to not only change your clock for Daylight Savings Time but the batteries in your smoke alarms, too.
"Saving your life can be as simple as changing your smoke alarm batteries once a year and replacing smoke alarms every seven to 10 years," says Local 1253 President Clay Murrell, a firefighter in Cranbrook. Special smoke alarms are even available for those who are deaf or hearing impaired.
The NFPA reports that working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Research has also demonstrated that photoelectric smoke alarms are more effective at warning people of smoke from smoldering fires than ionization smoke alarms. With earlier warning, people have more time to escape a burning structure and call 9-1-1.
Firefighters recommend installing a dual purpose smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside of every bedroom and on each floor of your home.
"You should also install carbon monoxide alarms in your home and check them once a month," says Murrell. Carbon monoxide fumes are poisonous and will increase the intensity of a fire if ignited.
More than 2,300 people die each year in home fires. Having a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm that works 24 hours a day greatly increases your chance of survival if your home catches on fire.