OLFD: Time Change Offers 'Timely Reminder' to Check Smoke Alarm Batteries

The Oak Lawn Fire Department reminds us that when we’re 'falling back' this weekend by turning the clocks back one hour, to also check the batteries on our smoke alarms.

Daylight Savings Time officially ends at 2 a.m. Nov. 3. Since most electronic clocks automatically make the switch and we don't have as many clocks to change, use the time to check the batteries in your smoke and CO alarms.

James Leikel of the Oak Lawn Fire Prevention Bureau offers these timely tips:

• Smoke alarms save lives. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out.

• If you're renting a home or apartment, it's the landlord's responsibility to provide working smoke alarms, but it's the tenant's responsibility to make sure that smoke alarms are equipped with fresh batteries.

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom or outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.

• An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires, and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of alarms or a combination alarm (photoelectric and ionization) should be installed in homes.

• Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.

• Smoke rises; install smoke alarms following manufacturer's instructions high on a wall or on a ceiling. Save manufacturer's instructions for testing and maintenance.

• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm “chirps”, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

• Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond properly.

• Be sure the smoke alarm has the label of a recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

• Alarms that are hard-wired (and include battery backup) must be installed by a qualified electrician.

• If cooking fumes or steam sets off nuisance alarms, replace the alarm with an alarm that has a "hush" button. A "hush" button will reduce the alarm’s sensitivity for a short period of time.

• An ionization alarm with a hush button or a photoelectric alarm should be used if the alarm is within 20 feet of a cooking appliance.

• Smoke alarms that include a recordable voice announcement in addition to the usual alarm sound, may be helpful in waking children through the use of a familiar voice.

• Smoke alarms are available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices use strobe lights. Vibration devices can be added to these alarms

• Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.

Source: Oak Lawn Fire Department