It's almost time to spring ahead, which means
it's also time to test and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors. Daylight Saving Time starts
at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 10.
Is
your smoke alarm still working? Smoke alarms must be maintained! A
smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm
at all.
Tioga Fire Protection and Fire Prevention
would like to remind everyone to not only set their clocks ahead this weekend,
but to also test your smoke detector batteries and change them if necessary.
A
smoke alarm only works when it is properly installed and maintained. Depending
on how your smoke alarm is powered (9-volt, 10-year lithium, or hardwired),
you’ll have to maintain it according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Tioga Fire Protection and Fire Prevention
says even hard-wired smoke alarms should have their batteries replaced and
tested monthly.
A working smoke alarm doubles your chance of
survival during a fire by giving you the critical time needed to escape.
A lot of fires occur at night while most people are sleeping.
Actually, the smoke and toxic gases from the fire can cause you to fall into a deeper sleep, diminishing the chance of survival.
Tioga Fire Protection and Fire Prevention recommends changing the batteries every six months and testing them monthly.
A lot of fires occur at night while most people are sleeping.
Actually, the smoke and toxic gases from the fire can cause you to fall into a deeper sleep, diminishing the chance of survival.
Tioga Fire Protection and Fire Prevention recommends changing the batteries every six months and testing them monthly.
General
guidelines for smoke alarm maintenance:
Smoke
alarm powered by a 9-volt battery
•Test the alarm monthly.
•Replace the batteries at least once per year.
•The entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.
•Test the alarm monthly.
•Replace the batteries at least once per year.
•The entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.
Smoke
alarm powered by a 10-year lithium (or “long life”) battery
•Test the alarm monthly.
•Since you cannot (and should not) replace the lithium battery, the entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced according to manufacturer’s instructions.
•Test the alarm monthly.
•Since you cannot (and should not) replace the lithium battery, the entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Smoke
alarm that is hardwired into the home’s electrical system
•Test the alarm monthly.
•The backup battery should be replaced at least once per year.
•The entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.
•Test the alarm monthly.
•The backup battery should be replaced at least once per year.
•The entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.
A Sound You Can Live With: Test Your Smoke Detector!
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
