Don't Forget to Change Batteries, Test Smoke Alarms

Early this morning, it was time to turn the clocks back for Daylight Savings Time. But if you didn’t check your smoke alarms, you should do that, too.

State Fire Marshal J. William Degnan and Chief Dave Parenti, president of the New Hampshire Fire Chief’s Association, are reminding Granite Staters that everyone to change their smoke alarm batteries when you change your clocks this Sunday.

Degnan stated that approximately 80 percent of fire deaths in New Hampshire occur in homes and apartments. Approximately 40 percent of these home fire deaths in New Hampshire occur in homes or apartments with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms are electronic devices and have a life expectancy per the manufacturers of approximately 10 years. You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for testing and replacement of these life saving devices.

Smoke alarms are the most effective early warning device available. Because fires grow and spread so quickly, you may have as little as three minutes to escape a fire in your home.

Therefore, having a working smoke alarm and residential fire sprinkler system in your home can mean the difference between life and death. If a home fire occurs, working smoke alarms cut your chances of dying nearly in half according to the National Fire Protection Association.

For more information, check out the following link.