Smoke alarms should be:
·
Equipped with flashing lights, vibration and/or sound for anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing
·
Installed in all sleeping rooms
·
Installed in hallways that lead to sleeping areas
·
Installed in basements
·
Installed in each additional level of your home
To insure proper working order of your smoke alarm:
·
Test on a monthly basis
·
Vacuum once a year – dust and cobwebs can impair sensitivity
·
Change alkaline batteries annually
·
Replace every 10 years
For
years fire officials have asked homeowners to replace batteries in
their smoke alarms annually, but a recent law in California requires
new smoke
alarms to be equipped with a 10-year long-life lithium battery that
doesn’t need to be replaced until the entire device is replaced after 10
years. It is still critical for residents to test their older alarms and replace old alkaline batteries annually.
When
smoke alarms are working properly they save lives. According to the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), two thirds
of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working
smoke alarms. NFPA also noted that having working smoke alarms cuts in
half the risk of dying in reported home fires.
The life you save may be your own or that of a loved one.
For additional fire safe tips visit us on the web at
www.fire.ca.gov, www. readyforwildfire.org,
www.preventwildfireca.org
