According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), although 96 percent of American homes have smoke alarms, non-working smoke alarms contribute to many of the estimated 2,300 deaths and 13,000 injuries caused each year by home fires across the United States. The most common cause of a failing or inoperable smoke alarm is a missing, dead or disconnected battery. Working smoke alarms can reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by approximately 50 percent.

Most fatal fires occur at night when people are asleep. Often, victims never wake up. Working smoke alarms will detect smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors will detect the presence of CO buildup. CO, also known as the “invisible killer,” is an odorless, colorless, tasteless and poisonous gas that is responsible for 450 deaths and 20,000 non-fatal injuries every year. Just like smoke alarms, CO detectors should be placed in or near every sleeping area and on every level of the house. Both protect and alert household occupants, providing a precious window of opportunity to escape.

Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms and (CO) detectors save lives! Changing their batteries while changing clocks this spring is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce fire deaths and injuries.

Ensure your home is protected from fire. Spring forward toward a safer household by following these life-saving tips:

• Check and replace the batteries in all of your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to make sure they are in working order.
• Replace all smoke alarms in your home that are older than 10 years and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors older than 5 years.
• Change batteries in other electronics in the home such as clocks, thermostats, phone accessories, flashlights and portable electronics.
• Check inside the home and outdoor storage areas for hazardous materials. For those that are outdated, no longer in use or in poor condition, discard of them properly.
• Review your fire escape plan with everyone in your household so that everyone will know what to do in case of an emergency.
• Check your family's emergency preparedness kit to see what needs to be replaced or included.

Visit our website for additional smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors safety information.