Its that time of year once again. Twice each year, we adjust our clocks to Daylight Saving Time (spring) and Eastern Standard Time (fall).
On Sun, November 3 , 2:00 AM we "Fall Back" as Daylight Savings time comes ot an end . This semi-annual event is an excellent time to ensure fire safety in the home by changing smoke-detector, carbon monoxide / gas alarm batteries as well practicing Exit Drills in the Home (EDITH).
Some important things to remember:
Check Smoke Detector Battery
Checking smoke alarm batteries at least once per month is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce tragic deaths and injuries. Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide.
The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms is worn or missing batteries. In fact, working smoke alarms cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire. In addition, experts recommend replacing your smoke alarms every ten years and testing smoke alarms regularly by pushing the test button.
Don’t wait, check the date
If you have a smoke alarm that is over 10 years old, it needs to be replaced. Remember, even if you have a new smoke alarm with a 10-year battery, you should test your smoke alarm at least once per month. If you notice an intermittent CHIRPING sound, this means the battery is low and must be replaced.
Smoke detectors should be installed on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas and inside bedrooms To escape a house on fire; first maintain working smoke detectors in your home, and second; have a plan in which to escape your home in case of fire. EDITH is very important along with having working smoke detectors. Once a smoke detector goes off in your home, members of your household along with yourself should react, by using your pre-planned escape route to exit safely from a fire. Know your escape plan before a fire happens. Use the following steps to develop your escape plan.
Draw a simple floor plan of your home, showing two ways out of each room.
Ensure all household members understand the escape routes from the plan.
Make sure routes are clear, and that the doors and windows on the route can be opened properly.
Crawl while using your escape route, it is safer because heat and smoke rise in a fire
Practice your escape plan at least twice a year with your household members and test your smoke detectors monthly while checking the batteries twice a year. Agree on a meeting place outside where everyone can meet after exiting the home. (This will allow for a head count and allow the arriving fire fighters to gain information about possible missing members, and the fire inside.)
Remember; People who live in an apartment building should use the stairways and NOT the elevator to escape to the outside.
Change your clock, change your batteries.