Money Matters, Simplified.
Replace smoke alarm batteries as you adjust clocks for DST--officials
by Jaspreet Virk - March 14, 2010 - comments
According to International Association of Fire Chiefs, nearly 92 percent homes in America have fire detectors but almost one-third do not work.
It’s Daylight Saving Time (DST) in the nation, a period when Americans move their clocks an hour forward. As you “spring forward” the clocks, take out time to check your smoke detectors, say firefighters.
According to International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), it is important to check batteries every six months, and DST is the best time to test the fire alarms.
If these alarms are powered by batteries, they need to be changed on a regular basis, unless they have batteries that last lifelong. Also, fire alarms that are older than 10 years should be replaced immediately.
Fire death statistics
Though majority of the homes in the nation have smoke detectors, many are not functional. The most commonly cited reason for nonworking is disconnected or dead batteries.
According to IAFC, nearly 92 percent homes in America have fire detectors but almost one-third do not work.
As per the data released by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), out of the total fire deaths that took place in the nation between 2003 and 2006, 63 percent were in homes where batteries in the smoke detectors were dead.
Having proper evacuation plan in place, along with having smoke detectors that work, increases the chances of saving life and property -- NFPA
In 2008 alone, 1,451,500 fires were reported in the nation in which 3320 civilians died and 16,705 were seriously wounded, and the property damage amounted to $15.5 billion.
NFPA said that there is 90 percent chance of a person dying in a home, where fire or smoke detectors are not working.
Even SAFE Kids USA presented similar data, revealing that approximately 16,600 children are injured every year in incidents related to fire, and this is the leading cause of unintentional death among children in the age group 1 to 14 years.
Smoke detectors increase survival chances
Having proper evacuation plan in place, along with having smoke detectors that work, increases the chances of saving life and property, according to NFPA.
Properly installed fire alarms constantly scan the air for fire and smoke and are a simple and effective way to avoid fatal consequences.
“Children and senior citizens are most at risk, and a working smoke alarm can give them the extra seconds they need to get out safely," stated Frank Edwards, fire chief at Escambia County.