The Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Departmant and EMS would like to remind everyone to change your smoke detector batteries when you change your clock's on Sunday November 6, 2016.

Working smoke detectors can cut the chance of dying in a home fire nearly in half by providing the extra time critical for safe escape. Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping. Most fire fatalities are the result of smoke inhalation; lethal amounts of smoke build long before the flames spread, lulling residents into a deep sleep. A working smoke detector will sound an alarm while there is still time to get out alive.

Nationally, nearly 90 percent of all homes have smoke detectors, but it is estimated that one-quarter of those don't work because of worn or missing batteries.

CIVFD recommends replacing smoke detector batteries at least twice a year, even if they appear to be working fine. Unfortunately, when detectors start 'chirping' to indicate that the batteries need to be replaced, many people disconnect the detector to stop the noise, not having another battery on hand. Replacing batteries when the time changes is an easy way to remember this important task. Smoke Alarm manufacturers recommend replacing the entire smoke alarm every 10 years. To find the date on your smoke alarm, simply remove the alarm from its base and locate the date imprinted on the back of the alarm. The new alarms that are sold in local stores today have a sealed 10 year battery that does not need replacing. This alarm needs to be tested on a regular basis to ensure it is in proper working order. The 10 year alarm also needs to be replaced entirely at the end of its 10 year life span.

The Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Department and EMS advises having at least one smoke detector on each level of your home, in each bedroom, and in the hallways adjacent to any sleeping areas. Smoke detectors (even those that are hard-wired) should be tested monthly to ensure that you have the protection you need when you need it.