Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery: Plainfield FD

PLAINFIELD, IL — Daylight Saving Time officially ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4 when the time “falls back” one hour. When we change our clocks we should also change the batteries in our smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. The majority of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms according to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association. When smoke alarms fail to operate it’s usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead.

Smoke alarms that are hardwired into your homes electric have a battery that needs to be changed so they will still operate during a power outage. Some smoke alarms have ten-year batteries from the manufacturer that do not need to be changed at all while other smoke alarms have disposable batteries that need to be changed at least once a year. There should be a smoke alarm on every level of your home, including your basement. Smoke alarms should also be located in hallways outside of bedrooms and inside bedrooms. Test your smoke alarms monthly and replace them if they fail to test regardless of their age. All smoke alarms need to be replaced every ten years even if they seem to be operating.

Carbon monoxide detectors are necessary life safety devices. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that can build up in your home when fuel burns incompletely. Potential sources of carbon monoxide include gas fired heating or cooking appliances and fireplaces when the flue is not opened during use. Some carbon monoxide detectors have a five-year battery installed by the manufacturer while other detectors are battery operated or plug directly into an outlet. The detectors that plug into an outlet also have a battery, so they can continue to operate during a power outage. Change the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors at least once a year to ensure that they are always able to function properly. A carbon monoxide detector should be located within fifteen feet of bedrooms. Test your carbon monoxide detectors monthly and replace them every five years or earlier if they fail to test properly.

Carbon Monoxide Alarm And An Angel Save Family

Technology is always advancing for these life safety devices and new features are on the horizon as a result of these advancements, for example combined smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors that will last for ten years and smart devices that alert your phone of any issues when you’re away from home. For more information on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors please visit the National Fire Protection Association website for information on smoke alarms and carbon monoxide. You may also call the Plainfield Fire Protection District at 815-436-5335 ext. 7314 or visit www.plainfieldfpd.com.

Submitted by the Plainfield Fire Protection District

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