As we move back (one hour at 2:00 Sunday morning) to Standard Time, Upper Allen Fire Department encourages you to mark the occasion as a time to test your home smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed.
Every day in the U.S., needless home fire deaths occur and working smoke alarms significantly increase your chance of surviving a deadly home fire, according to the experts. Whether you’re awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert scanning the air for smoke.
Some smoke alarms today use long life lithium batteries that may not need to be replaced. Others require alkaline 9 volt batteries that should be replaced if they are a year old. All smoke alarms should be tested monthly, and replaced if they are older than ten years or not working properly.
In addition to changing your smoke alarm batteries this weekend, Upper Allen Fire Department recommends following these simple steps to protect your life, your loved ones, and your home:
• Dust or vacuum smoke alarms when you change the batteries.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, and both inside and outside of sleeping areas.
• For the best protection, equip your home with a combination of ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor alarms.
• Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout your home so that when one sounds, they all sound. Interconnected alarms are available at most stores that sell smoke alarms.
• Make sure everyone in your home understands the warning of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.
Officials say this is also a great time to prepare a home escape plan if you do not already have one – and practice the plan. Plan to meet in a place a safe distance from the fire and where first responders can easily see you.
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