Sunday, November 7, 2010
Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors when you change your clocks to make sure that your family has the critical time needed to escape if there is a fire in your home.

Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping. Rather than awakening you as many people believe, the smoke and toxic gases generated by a fire actually cause you to sleep more deeply. A working smoke detector can double a person's chances of surviving a fire by providing the extra time that is critical for safe escape.

Nationally, more than 90 percent of all homes have smoke detectors, but it is estimated that one-third of those don't work because of old or missing batteries.

Related Information:
CPSC Warns: Millions of Americans Have Smoke Alarms that Don't Work

The United States Fire Administration offers a few helpful tips on smoke alarms and sprinklers:

Place properly installed and maintained smoke alarms both inside and outside of sleeping areas and on every level of your home.

Interconnected smoke alarms are best, because if one sounds, they all sound.

Get smoke alarms that can sound fast.  The U.S. Fire Administration recommends that every residence and place where people sleep be equipped with both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.

Inspect and test smoke alarms monthly and change alkaline batteries at least once every year, or as instructed. You can use a date you already know, like your birthday or when you change your clocks as a reminder.

If possible, install residential fire sprinklers in your home.

Avoid painting or covering the fire sprinkler, because that will affect the sensitivity to heat.