The tradition that most people find tiresome and virtually unnecessary in a modern-day world does carry with it a modern-day sidebar component that has the potential to save lives on any given day in any given home or business. Changing the clocks for Daylight Saving Time has also become a Day for Detector Updates as well.
The Michigan State Fire Marshal is strongly encouraging everyone to use tonight’s clock change as a key opportunity to refresh the batteries in detection devices in your home or business. The Fire Marshal’s office says, when setting your clocks ahead one hour for daylight saving time tonight or early tomorrow (Sunday, March 12), you should also change the batteries in all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Installing and maintaining smoke detectors is the single most important thing you can do to protect your family or employees from fire. Deaf and hard of hearing citizens should equip their homes with alert devices such as high intensity strobe lights, and pillow or bed shakers that are activated by the sound of a standard smoke alarm.
Julie Secontine is the State Fire Marshal for Michigan. She says, “Smoke alarms that work properly greatly increase a family’s chance of surviving a home fire and are a small investment in ensuring the safety of your family.” She notes, “If a fire occurs in your home, there may be very little time before the fire and smoke spread. Smoke alarms and alert devices provide an early warning for everyone to safely escape.”
You should never disable any smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector, and be aware that the “chirp” sound from an alarm means it’s time to change the battery. Smoke alarms should be installed outside of every bedroom and on all levels of the home.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated three out of every five home fire deaths occur in houses without working smoke detectors – the majority of which have missing or dead batteries.
In addition, all households, especially those with small children, should develop and practice an escape plan in the event of a home fire. Designate a clear meeting place outside of the home and call 911 from a safe location. Families can help emergency responders by staying together outside of the home.
Secontine also recommends citizens install and test carbon monoxide alarms, which detect deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that can be fatal. At a minimum, each floor of your home should be equipped with a carbon monoxide detector. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds leave your home right away and call 9-1-1.
You can visit the Bureau of Fire Services website for more fire safety information, and you can also view information on smoke alarm accessories for the deaf and hard of hearing there.
Don’t forget to “Spring Forward” at 2am tomorrow morning.
