Have You Changed Your Smoke Detector & Carbon Monoxide Detectors Batteries Yet?

 

As we fall back this weekend with the time change, I am reminding everyone to change batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

 More Reminders

1 Dust or vacuum smoke detectors in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Keep them free of debris and test them at least once a month by using the alarm's "test button" to make sure they are functioning properly.

2 Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of the home, including the basement, and in or near each sleeping area. If you sleep with the door closed, install the smoke alarm or detector inside the room. In new homes, smoke alarms or detectors are required in all sleeping rooms, per the National Fire Alarm Code.

3 Mount alarms high on walls and ceilings, because smoke rises. Wall-mounted alarms should be positioned 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling. Ceiling-mounted alarms should be positioned 4 inches away from the nearest wall. On vaulted, "cathedral" ceilings, the alarm should be mounted at the highest point of the ceiling. Smoke detectors should not be installed near a window, door or forced air register where drafts could interfere with their operation.

4 People with hearing impairments should install smoke detectors with louder alarm signals or strobe lights to alert them to a fire. For details on smoke alarms for the hearing-impaired, call the Center for High-Risk Outreach at (617) 984-7826.

5 Do not disable the "chirping" feature by removing batteries. Keep batteries in smoke alarms or detectors; do not borrow them for other purposes. Nuisance activation can be addressed by moving a smoke alarm or detector farther away from kitchens or bathrooms and by more frequent cleaning. If the problem persists, replace the unit. Don't paint over smoke alarms and detectors