North Haven FD: Check Smoke And CO Detectors – Patch.com

Press release from North Haven Fire Department:

Oct. 22, 2020

Chief Paul Januszewski and the North Haven Fire Department encourage residents to test their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when setting their clocks back for daylight saving time.

Daylight saving ends Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 a.m.

"Testing and changing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are quick and easy habits that can prevent fires and save lives," Chief Januszewski said. "We encourage all of our residents to change the batteries inside their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when they change their clocks for daylight saving time."

According to the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), working smoke detectors decrease the risk of dying in home fires by nearly half. Additionally, in many reported home fires in which smoke detectors were present but did not operate, the batteries had been removed or the detector was disconnected due to dead battery alerts or nuisance alarms.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke detectors (38%) or no working smoke detectors (21%). Additionally, dead batteries caused one-quarter (24%) of the smoke detector failures.

The North Haven Fire Department also asks that all business owners not only change their clocks, but also change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace the batteries on wall mounted emergency lights and exit signs. All businesses should have emergency backup lighting as a safety feature to provide temporary lighting in case of power failure.

In order to keep your family and home safe, North Haven Fire recommends that residents follow safety tips outlined by IAFF:

The North Haven Fire Department would also like to remind residents that carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are not interchangeable and should never be disconnected. The best practice for checking your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors is to do so monthly.

From Monday, Oct. 26 to Friday, Nov. 13, the North Haven Fire Department will be offering free 9-volt batteries for North Haven residents. Residents interested in receiving 9-volt batteries can pick them up at the Fire Headquarters, 11 Broadway, North Haven, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Supplies are limited.

For more information on smoke detector and CO detector safety, visit the IAFF website or contact the North Haven Fire Department at 203-239-5321.

This press release was produced by North Haven Fire Department. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Read more from the original source:
North Haven FD: Check Smoke And CO Detectors - Patch.com