Don’t Forget to Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries on March 9th!

Use this checklist to ensure you’re taking the right steps to protect your family:

1. Count Your Smoke Alarms

Make sure there is at least one smoke alarm less than 10 years old installed on every level of your home, including one in each bedroom and outside every sleeping area.

2. Change Your Smoke Alarm and Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and fire experts nationwide recommend changing the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors annually. A simple way to remember is to change the batteries when you change your clocks.

3. Check Your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

After replacing the batteries, test each alarm by pressing the safety test button to ensure they’re in proper working condition. Test them monthly. Never disconnect the battery! A “chirping” alarm means it needs a fresh battery.

4. Clean Your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Keep your alarms and detectors functioning properly by cleaning them monthly to remove dust and cobwebs.

5. Replace Your Smoke Alarms

The IAFC recommends replacing your smoke alarms every 10 years. It’s also important to have a combination of both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms to protect against all types of fires.

6. Change Your Flashlight Batteries

Keep flashlights with fresh batteries by your bedside to help you find your way out and signal for help in case of a fire.

7. Get the Whole Family Involved

Ensure everyone in your household, especially children, knows what the alarms sound like and what to do when they go off.

Source: Fire statistics were obtained from reports by the Fire Analysis and Research Division of the National Fire Protection Association. Visit www.nfpa.org for more information. Information courtesy of Energizer.