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FASNY reminds New Yorkers: Spring into safety at home and at work

by jmaloni

Submitted

Wed, Mar 5th 2014 03:15 pm

Check your smoke and CO detector batteries when changing clocks on Sunday, March 9

With daylight savings time beginning on Sunday, March 9, at 2 a.m., New Yorkers move their clocks forward one hour (to 3 a.m. local daylight time). It is the ideal time to safeguard the home and workplace from preventable tragedy, says the Firemen's Association of the State of New York. FASNY urges everyone to check the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to make sure they are functioning, and replace the batteries, if needed. FASNY also recommends people dust or vacuum the detectors to keep them free of debris, so they can work properly.

The National Fire Protection Association states that, in more than one-third of home fire deaths, no smoke alarms were present. In one-quarter of home fire deaths, smoke alarms were present, but did not sound, and 36 percent of fatal fire victims never wake up before being injured.

"If there is a fire in the home and an existing alarm does not sound, the top three reasons are: disconnected, missing or dead batteries," said FASNY President James Burns. "Now, when you are adjusting your clocks to daylight savings time, is the perfect opportunity to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace the batteries. Too often we have seen fire and carbon monoxide lead to preventable tragedy brought about by the lack of a functioning detector."

FASNY smoke and CO detector tips

•Test detectors at least once a month by using the test button.

•Check the batteries every six months, and change the batteries every year. If a battery is starting to lose its power, the unit will usually chirp to warn you. Do not disable the unit.

•Vacuum or blow out any dust that might accumulate in the unit.

•Never borrow a battery from a detector to use somewhere else.

•Never paint a smoke or CO detector.

•Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home, including the basement, and in or near each sleeping area.

•Smoke detectors should not be installed near a window, because drafts could interfere with their operation.

•Families should also develop and practice a home fire escape plan.

•Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for testing smoke alarms and replacing the batteries.

For more information on smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and other information on fire safety and prevention, visit www.fasny.com and www.nfpa.org.

Founded in 1872, the Firemen's Association of the State of New York represents the interests of the more than 90,000 volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel in New York. For more information, visit www.fasny.com.

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