Red Cross reminds community to test smoke alarm bateries

While you are at it, the Milton Fire Department encourages residents to take a moment to replace batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

· Smoke alarms with non-replaceable (long-life) batteries are available and are created to remain effective for up to 10 years.

However, smoke alarms aren’t effective if they aren’t working properly.

“Every year in New Jersey there are fire fatalities in homes that did not have smoke alarms or where the alarms did not function because of dead batteries”, Yaiser said.

Local agency, Vallejo fire department has urged residents in the area to do their part and not only to change their clocks for Daylight Saving Time but the batteries in their smoke alarms.

In Bibb County, firefighters give out hundreds of smoke detectors each year.

More than 95 percent of USA homes have at least one smoke detector installed inside them, but most homeowners remain unaware of the different kinds of sensors available and their effectiveness, reports the U.S National Fire Protection Association. “This simple, but vital maintenance includes ensuring that all alarms are equipped with working batteries”.

A legal requirement for the detectors, under the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015, applies to new tenancies created after October 1, 2015. “These appliances are critical in preventing future tragedies”.

Batteries in detectors need to be changed at least twice a year, even if they are hardwired into the home’s electrical system.

So basically, what do you have to lose?

Clean away any dust or debris from the unit. Because of this technology, the national slogan “Change your clock, Change your battery” may not apply to OR residents who have these ionization-only smoke alarms.

Never disconnect or remove batteries from smoke alarms for other uses. It’s recommended that a CO alarm be installed in the hallway outside each bedroom of the home.

“They are very important because they are your only way of knowing that there is a fire, especially if you are asleep.” he said. All smoke alarms work, but photoelectric are less susceptible to nuisance alarms, and ionization alarms are weaker in high air flow environments.