Check Smoke Alarms in New Rochelle for National Fire Prevention Week

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — October is Fire Prevention Month, and next week—October 9-15—is National Fire Prevention Week.

In New Rochelle, the fire department is urging all residents to test their smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries when you change the clocks for daylight saving time—or when they begin to chirp, which means the batteries are running low.

The theme of National Fire Prevention Week is “Don’t Wait—Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years.”

“Smoke detectors have expiration dates,” said New Rochelle’s Fire Chief Louis DiMeglio.

“It is crucial to replace them within the time frame indicated by the manufacturer,” he said.

To find out how old your smoke alarm is and its expiration date, simply look on the back of the alarm where the date of manufacture is marked. The smoke alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date (not the date of purchase).

The New Rochelle Fire Department also encourages everyone to test their smoke alarm monthly, and replace batteries when you change your clocks twice a year, or when they begin to chirp, signaling that they’re running low.

For more information on smoke alarms and this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.

Photo credit: U.S. Fire Administration.