By Patty Montagno
Staff Writer
While most of us know smoke alarms save lives, rarely do we think about maintaining those alarms. Interim Fire Chief Wade Martin wanted to remind residents that the time change Sunday night is also a good time to change smoke detector batteries.
“We all agree that the start and end of Daylight Savings Time should be a reminder for folks to change the batteries in their smoke detectors.”
Smoke alarms are extremely low maintenance said the chief. He encouraged people to test the smoke alarm monthly, replace the battery every six months and clean it (smoke detector) every six months using a vacuum hose attachment.
Wade said reports show that every year there are more than 350,000 home fires, resulting in over 2,500 deaths. Of these deaths, 60 percent of them occur during fires in which no working smoke alarm is present. A great percentage of home fire deaths occur between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., while residents are asleep.
“When there is a fire, smoke spreads very quickly,” he said. “Working smoke alarms give you an early warning so you can get outside quickly. They should be installed on every level of the home, outside each sleeping area, and inside each bedroom.”
A smoke alarm senses smoke. It will sound if there is smoke in the home – possibly from a fire. “When the smoke alarm sounds, everyone should leave the home right away,” he said.
Smoke detectors in large commercial, industrial, and residential buildings are usually powered by a central fire alarm system, which is powered by the building power with a battery backup. Domestic smoke detectors range from individual battery-powered units, to several interlinked mains-powered units with battery backup; if any unit detects smoke, all trigger even in the absence of electricity.
For full story see The Sachse News at http://www.etypeservices.com/Sachse%20NewsID248/default.aspx
Sachse resident Larry Mitchell replaces the batteries in smoke alarms at his home.
0 Comments