| The Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Departmant and EMS would like to remind everyone to change your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm batteries when you change your clock's on Sunday March 10, 2013.
Throughout the U.S. we have seen a rise in fire fatalities due to non working smoke alarms. Last month a father and two children perished during a fire in thier home. They had no working smoke alarms to alert them to the danger of a fire in their home. PLEASE DON'T LET THIS BE YOUR FAMILY!
Working smoke alarms 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 alarms, but it is estimated that one-quarter of those don't work because of worn or missing batteries.
CIVFD recommends replacing smoke alarm 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.
The Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Department and EMS advises having at least one smoke alarm 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. |
