Attleboro Fire Department: Attleboro Fire Department Reminds Residents To Check Smoke And CO Alarms During Daylight Saving Time

Press release from the Attleboro Fire Department:

Taylor O'Neil

March 12, 2021

Chief Scott Lachance and the Attleboro Fire Department wish to remind residents to test their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and check the batteries in each when they move their clocks ahead to start daylight saving time Sunday. 

“Daylight saving time serves as a great reminder to check the batteries within your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” Chief Lachance said. “While checking the batteries, we also encourage residents to test their alarms as well to ensure they are functioning properly.”

“Daylight saving time serves as a great reminder to check the batteries within your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” Chief Lachance said. “While checking the batteries, we also encourage residents to test their alarms as well to ensure they are functioning properly.” Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 14, and clocks move ahead one hour at that time. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in more than 50% of home fires that were reported to fire departments in the U.S. between 2014-2018 Fire departments nationwide responded to almost 80,000 carbon monoxide incidents in 2016, and almost 400 people died of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning in 2017, according to NFPA data.

To keep residents’ homes safe and prevent fires or carbon monoxide poisoning, Chief Lachance  recommends these safety tips from the NFPA: 

To keep residents’ homes safe and prevent fires or carbon monoxide poisoning, Chief Lachance   Test all smoke alarms at least once a month, pressing the test button to ensure the alarm functions properly. Smoke alarms have a shelf life of 10 years. Be sure to replace them after 10 years of use.  CO alarms should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Smoke alarms should be installed in each room of the house. CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each bedroom or sleeping area, on every story of the home and in other locations required by standards, codes or laws.  Make sure alarms interconnect so when one alarm sounds, they all do. If the CO alarm sounds, immediately exit the house or building and move outside to an area of fresh air, ensuring each person inside the home is accounted for. Then call for help and await instructions from emergency personnel. Working with each member of the household, create and practice a home escape plan.

This press release was produced by the Attleboro Fire Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.