CPSC Urges Consumers to Replace Batteries in Smoke Alarms
Today is not only the day to change our clocks, it's also the day to replaced smoke alarm batteries, according to an timely reminder from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission as Daylight Saving Time ends.
While changing your clock can keep you on time for work on Monday, CPSC advises consumers that putting fresh batteries in your smoke alarms can save your life.
In recent years, an estimated annual average of 378,700 fires, 2,740 deaths, 13,090 injuries, and $5.6 billion in property losses associated with residential fires have been reported by fire departments.
"Smoke alarms save lives. That's a fact," said Nancy Nord, CPSC acting chairman. "Working smoke alarms buy you valuable time to get out of your home when there's a fire."
CPSC urges consumers to install smoke alarms on every level of their home, outside sleeping areas, and inside each bedroom. To minimize nuisance alarms, install smoke alarms at least 10 feet from the stove and oven.
CPSC also recommends installing both ionization and photoelectric type smoke alarms. Ionization type smoke alarms typically detect flaming fires more quickly, while photoelectric type smoke alarms typically detect smoldering fires sooner.
In addition to replacing smoke alarm batteries, consumers should test their smoke alarms every month to make sure they are operating properly and never disable a smoke alarm. Long life smoke alarms with 10-year batteries are also available to consumers.