Smoke Detector Batteries Need Changing!

Change batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors at least once a year

Sometimes habits can be a good thing, like remembering to change the batteries in your smoke alarms.  The International Fire Chiefs Association and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommend that you change the batteries in all of your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors at least once a year.  Now would be a good time to start a new habit or family tradition of changing the smoke detector batteries in your home on an annual basis. Today, many people associate the ritual of changing their clocks for daylight savings time in November with also changing the batteries in their smoke alarms. 

According to CPSC statistics, two-thirds of fire related deaths occur in homes where there are no working smoke alarms.  This is why it is important to remember to replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year and to also test your alarms each month.  It is recommended that homeowners have smoke alarms on every level of their home and in all of the bedrooms.

Additionally, homeowners need to protect themselves and their loved ones from unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning deaths.  CO is often referred to as the "invisible killer," because it is a colorless, odorless and poisonous gas and people generally do not know they are being poisoned. Carbon monoxide is a result of the incomplete burning of fuel in various products found around the home, including furnaces, portable generators, and fireplaces. It is important to have working CO detectors on each level of the home in addition to smoke alarms.  Many manufacturers now combine smoke alarms with CO detectors in one device which make it easier for consumers to be protected.

Remember that when you change your clocks this fall also change your smoke detector batteries!

Stephanie Wardwell is an award winning real estate agent at Keller Williams Realty in Lake Ridge, VA.  She focuses on residential real estate in Prince William County.

Stephanie Wardwell Real Estate Team | Woodbridge, VA | Keller Williams Realty 

www.StephWardwell.com | www.StephanieWardwell.com