Livingston Fire Chief Shares Daylight Saving Time Tips: Check These 3 Things

LIVINGSTON, NJ — When you’re getting ready to "spring forward" to Daylight Saving time this weekend in Livingston, it’s also a good time to change out the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, the town’s fire chief says.

The switch to Daylight Saving time – which takes place on Sunday, March 8 – is also a chance to inspect any fire extinguishers in your home and replace them if needed, according to Livingston Fire Chief Christopher Mullin.

The chief said it’s an “ideal time to change the batteries whenever we change the clocks.”

There’s one exception, the Livingston Fire Department noted:

“Mullin advises homeowners who may have purchased newer ‘10-Year Sealed Battery’ detectors that once detectors are activated upon initial installation, there is no need to replace the batteries. Ten-year sealed battery detectors are designed to operate using a ‘sealed’ battery, so attempting to open or change the battery will render the detector useless, and it will have to be discarded.”

Here are some other reminders from the Livingston Fire Department:

Smoke Detectors

Working smoke alarms greatly reduce the likelihood of residential fire-related fatalities by providing an early audible warning, alerting occupants, and giving them an opportunity to escape to safety. According to the National Fire Protection Association, that’s critical because three of every five residential fire deaths occur in homes with either no smoke alarms (38%), or without working smoke alarms (21%), and the majority occur at night when most people are sleeping. A properly installed and tested smoke detector with a fresh battery is one of the simplest and most effective things residents can do to protect themselves and their family from a home fire. All smoke detectors should be mounted with screws and positioned within 10 feet of bedrooms and at each level of the house, including the basement (at the bottom of the stairs).

Industry standards call for smoke detectors to be replaced every 10 years and carbon monoxide detectors to be replaced every 5 to 7 years. Carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous because there is no smoke or odor to give residents a warning that something is wrong. These lethal, colorless, and odorless fumes are often associated with an improperly vented furnace, hot water heater, and generators powered by gasoline or kerosene.

Carbon Monoxide

As the temperature drops, the chance of exposure to carbon monoxide increases as residents attempt to keep warm by running heating systems more frequently and finding alternate or supplemental heating sources. There is also the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning from warming up the car in an enclosed garage, as the exhaust fumes contain large amounts of this gas, which can filter into your home through door openings and cracks in the walls. When warming up a vehicle in cold weather, always pull the vehicle out of the garage before allowing it to stand and idle.

“If a homeowner has only one carbon monoxide detector in the residence, it’s important that that detector be located within 10 feet of the sleeping area,” continued Mullin. “Detectors in these areas protect the occupants when they’re sleeping or in a semi-conscious state. If the home has more than one detector, one of them should be located within 10 feet of the utility room doors. These systems are designed to provide early detection, and they’re essential for you and your family’s safety. They really can save a life.”

Fire Extinguishers

If selling a home, Livingston residents are required to have at least one five-pound 2A:10B:C or greater fire extinguisher, according to the Fire Code. The 2A designation means the extinguisher is as effective as 2 ½ gallons of water; the 10BC designation means the extinguisher fights Class B fires — flammable liquids — as large as 10 square feet and is safe for use on Class C — live electrical equipment — fires. If reselling a home, the extinguisher must be wall mounted at approximately five feet off of the floor, in a visible and accessible location in or within 10 feet of the kitchen. The fire extinguisher may not be placed in a cabinet, closet, pantry, or behind any doors.

More Information

For further information about fire safety, please contact the Fire Department Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 973-992-2373, and they will be happy to answer your questions. You can also visit the township website at livingstonnj.org/Fire

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