These Are Simple Changes That Could Save Your Life
- Change Your Smoke Detector Batteries
The IAFC and fire
experts nationwide encourage people to change smoke detector batteries
at least annually. An easy way to remember to change your batteries
is when you turn your clock back in the fall. Replace old batteries
with fresh, high quality alkaline batteries, such as energizer
brand batteries, to keep your smoke detector going year-long.
- Check Your Smoke Detectors
After inserting a fresh battery
in your smoke detector, check to make sure the smoke detector itself is
working by pushing the safety test button.
- Count Your Smoke Detectors
Install at least one smoke
detector on every level of your home, including the basement and family
room and, most important, outside all bedrooms.
- Vacuum Your Smoke Detectors
Each month, clean your smoke
detectors of dust and cobwebs to ensure their sensitivity.
- Change Your Flashlight Batteries
To make sure your emergency flashlights work when you need them,
use high-quality alkaline batteries. Note: Keep a working flashlight
near your bed, in the kitchen, basement and family room, andd use it to
signal for help in the event of a fire.
- Install Fire Extinguishers
Install a fire extinguisher in
or near your kitchen and know how to use it. Should you need to purchase
one, the IAFC recommends a multi-or all-purpose fire extinguisher that
is listed by an accredited testing laboratory such as Underwriters
Laboratory.
- Plan and Practice Your Escape
Create at least two different
escape routes and practice them with the entire family. Children are at
double the risk of dying in a home fire because they often become scared
and confused during fires. Make sure your children understand that a smoke
detector signals a home fire and that they recognize its alarm.
- Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery
Energizer brand Batteries, the International Association of Fire
Chiefs (IAFC) and your local fire department urge you to adopt a simple,
potentially lifesaving habit: change the batteries in your smoke detector
when you change your clocks back to standard time in the fall.
Consider The Following:
- Eachday, an average of three kids die in home fires - 1,100 children
each year. About 3,600 children are injured in house fires each year. 90
percent of child fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke detectors.
- Although smoke detectors are in 92 percent of American homes, nearly
one-third don't work because of old or missing batteries.
- A working smoke detector reduces the risk of dying in a home fire
by nearly half.
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Special thanks to the Chicago Fire Department for preparing this information.