Daylight Saving Time Begins March 8 at 2 a.m.
NORTH HAVEN — Chief Paul Januszewski and the North Haven Fire Department would like to remind residents to test their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when setting the clocks ahead for daylight saving time.
Daylight saving begins on Sunday, March 8 at 2 a.m.
“It’s always better to regularly change the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors twice per year than to wait for them to start beeping because the battery is dying,” Chief Januszewski said. “In addition, all smoke alarms should be replaced at least every 10 years, and CO detectors should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions on the device.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), having working smoke alarms reduces the risk of dying in a fire by 50% and, on average, three out of every five fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
The North Haven Fire Department asks that all business owners not only change the batteries in their clocks, smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, but also replace the batteries on wall mounted emergency lights and exit signs. All businesses have emergency backup lighting as a safety feature to provide temporary lighting in case of power failure.
There are two types of smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectric. Each type of technology is designed to alert you to fire or smoke conditions. An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to fast, flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to slower, smoldering fires. For the best protection, or where extra time is needed to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms, or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms are recommended.
In order to continue to keep your home safe and prevent fires, Chief Januszewski recommends that residents follow safety tips outlined by NFPA:
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month using the test button. Replace alarms immediately if they don’t respond properly when tested.
- Replace batteries in smoke and CO alarms when you change your clocks.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they reach 10 years old. Replace CO detectors according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area, on every level of the home, and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
- If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay in that spot until emergency personnel arrive.
- Develop and practice a home escape plan with all members of the household.
For more information on smoke detector and CO alarm safety, visit the NFPA website or contact the North Haven Fire Department at 203-239-5321.
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