Test all Smoke Detectors and
Annually Replace Batteries
Tragedies can be prevented simply by testing your
smoke detector once a month and by annually replacing smoke detector batteries.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends these measures
because owner neglect of testing and battery replacement has been a major cause
of smoke detector failure in fires.
Every year in the United States, approximately
5,000 people are killed by residential fires. Most fire victims die from
inhalation of smoke and toxic gases, not as a result of burns. Most deaths and
injuries occur in fires that happen at night while the victims are asleep.
Properly installed and maintained, the home smoke
detector is considered one of the best and least expensive means of providing an
early warning when a fire begins, before the concentration of smoke reaches a
dangerous level or before the fire becomes too intense. There is no doubt about
it - smoke detectors save lives, prevent injuries, and minimize property damage
by enabling residents to detect fires early in their development. The risk of
dying from fires in homes without smoke detectors is twice as high as in homes
that have functioning detectors.
Both wired-in and battery-powered smoke detectors
should be tested at least once a month or in accordance with the detector
manufacturer's recommendation (if more frequent) to make sure they are operating
properly. If the smoke detector is battery operated, test it and replace the
batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions. Fresh batteries should
last approximately one year.
If your battery-powered detector begins to emit
its low-power warning, such as a chirping sound, replace the battery immediately
with a fresh one. Better yet, consider making routine replacement of batteries a
seasonal task, such as when resetting clocks in the fall or spring, or in
conjunction with a major event, such as New Year's Day or a birthday. This
practice will ensure that your smoke detectors will continue to provide
protection for you without your having to purchase a battery when a smoke
detector begins to produce its periodic "low battery warning" chirping.
If "nuisance" alarms occur during cooking, or
from a smoking fireplace, etc., do not disable your smoke detector. Either fan
away the smoke, relocate the detector, or purchase one with a delay switch.
At least one smoke detector should be properly
placed on every floor of the home. The most important location is near the
bedrooms to provide early warning to all sleeping occupants. A smoke detector
should be placed in any bedroom occupied by a smoker.
Develop and Rehearse an Escape Plan
CPSC also urges consumers to develop and rehearse
an escape plan, so that when the smoke detector sounds, family members will
react appropriately.
Don't wait for a fire in your home to test your
smoke detector ... Do it now: test it, replace its batteries, and sleep with
peace of mind.
All tips are courtesy of the:
CPSC
