From the Maplewood Fire Department:
On Sunday, Nov. 6, we will be changing our clocks back to standard time. The Maplewood Fire Department reminds residents as they change their clocks back to also change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.
“Time is your enemy in a fire and working smoke alarms give you precious time to use your home escape plan before poisonous gases and heat make escape impossible,” said Fire Chief Michael Dingelstedt. The National Fire Protection Association reports that 71% of smoke alarms which failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead batteries. This reinforces how important it is to take this time each year to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The Maplewood Fire Department would like to remind you of the importance of batteries not only in smoke alarms, but also in carbon monoxide alarms to keep us safe, secure and comfortable in our homes.
After inserting a fresh battery in each smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, push the safety test button to make sure the alarms are in proper-working condition. Conduct this test monthly. Never disconnect your smoke alarm battery! Remember that a “chirping” alarm is a signal it needs a fresh battery.
Replace aging smoke and CO alarms
No appliance lasts forever. “When changing your alarm’s batteries check to see if your alarms need to be replaced. It should be noted that smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years and carbon monoxide detectors have a life expectancy of five to seven years. The date of manufacture can be found on the back of the detector. If you cannot find a date of manufacture chances are the detector is older than 10 years and needs to be replaced.
Ten-year alarms
There are some new smoke and CO alarms that come with a 10-year, sealed, non-rechargeable, non-replaceable battery. The batteries in these alarms never need changing until the entire alarm needs to be replaced after ten years.
