Rockville
- - - Montgomery County firefighters will be hitting the streets this weekend reminding
residents when they change their clocks and “Spring Forward” that it is the
perfect time of year to check and replace the batteries in smoke alarms and
carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. In addition to changing the batteries
this weekend, residents are urged to follow these simple steps to protect your
life, your loved ones and your home:
- Dust or vacuum
smoke alarms when you change the batteries, unless your smoke alarm is
sealed and is a 10-year long life unit.
- Test alarms once a
month using the test button.
- Replace the entire
alarm if it’s more than 10 years old or doesn’t work properly when tested.
- Install smoke
alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, and both
inside and outside of sleeping areas.
- Interconnect all
smoke alarms throughout your home so that when one sounds, they all sound.
Interconnected alarms are available at most stores that sell smoke alarms.
- Make sure everyone
in your home understands the warning of the smoke alarm and knows how to
respond.
- Involve your
family! Take time to review your fire escape plans with your family and
practice with a home fire drill.
“Smoke alarm maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire
deaths,” said Fire Chief Richard Bowers. “Children and senior citizens are most
at risk and a working smoke alarm can give them the extra seconds they need to escape
safely.”
If you need any assistance with fire escape planning
or smoke alarms, call 311 to schedule a free evaluation by fire department
representatives. To learn more about what you and
your family can do to be safe, visit the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue
Service website at www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe.
It’s a fact: If your smoke
alarm was installed before March 11, 2002
It needs to be replaced.
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