Today is November 7 and it’s time you should change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, as the Daylight Saving Time ended today. “Please join us in our effort to educate the community on the vital importance of working smoke alarms and monoxide detectors in protecting families, friends, neighbors and the community as a whole against the devastating effects of home fires,” said David Van Troost of the Hopewell Fire Department.
Around 500 children die each year due to home fires and two-thirds of home fire deaths are caused due to the absence of smoke alarms in homes. The New York State Firemen’s Association has offered some safety tips. The association said that it is necessary to keep dust or vacuum smoke detectors free of debris and test them at least once a month by using the alarm’s “test button.”
The association suggests that people should install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of the home. The National Fire Alarm Code requires new homes to install smoke alarms or detectors in all sleeping rooms.
The alarms should be mounted high on walls and ceilings, because smoke rises and the wall-mounted alarms should be positioned 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling, while the ceiling-mounted alarms should be installed 4 inches away from the nearest wall. Smoke detectors with louder alarm signals or strobe lights should be used by people with hearing impairments. For details on smoke alarms for the hearing-impaired, call the Center for High-Risk Outreach at (617) 984-7826.
