(MIAMI, March 6, 2020) - As we set the clock one hour forward on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 2:00 a.m., in addition to checking and replacing the batteries in all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) encourages everyone to make it a habit to take care of other tasks that will help improve the safety in their homes and protect them from the devastation of fire.
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors have become such a common feature in our homes that we often take them for granted but they provide an early warning of a fire, giving people additional time to escape. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), smoke alarms have alerted countless households to developing fires. In 2018, 74 percent of home occupants were alerted to home fires by the smoke alarms and were able to respond to the warning of the fires. Non-working smoke alarms contribute to many of the estimated 2,720 deaths and 11,200 injuries caused each year by home fires across the United States, resulting in an estimated $25.6 billion in property damage. The most common reason for smoke alarm failure during a fire emergency is a missing, dead or improperly installed battery.
Home fires commonly occur at night when most people are asleep. The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms. Working smoke alarms will detect smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors will detect the presence of CO gas in the air. CO is a deadly, odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas often referred to as the “invisible killer.” This poisonous gas is responsible for 450 deaths and 20,000 injuries every year. Just like smoke alarms, CO detectors should be placed on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Smoke alarms and CO detectors are life savers. Making sure that they’re properly installed and maintained is vital in reducing fire deaths and injuries.
While changing clocks this Spring, take a few minutes to ensure your home is protected from fire. Help stop a fire before it starts and keep your family safe by following these basic safety tips:
- Make sure your smoke alarms and (CO) detectors are in working order: Check and replace the batteries in all of your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors twice a year when you change your clocks (fall backward, spring forward).
- Do your smoke alarms and (CO) detectors need to be replaced? For the best protection, replace all smoke alarms in your home that are older than 10 years and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors older than 5 years.
- Change all the batteries in the home: Change batteries in other electronics in the home such as clocks, thermostats, irrigation, outdoor lighting, phone accessories, flashlights and portable electronics.
- Check your home and outside storage areas for hazardous materials: Store flammable products properly and away from children. Designate a cool, dark indoor or outside storage area and properly discard any products or materials that are outdated, no longer used or in poor condition.
- Practicing your fire escape plan is vital when every second counts: Review your family fire escape plan with everyone in your household. It’s important to know at least two ways out of every room, making sure all the doors and windows are clear and open easily. Practice your plan twice a year to make sure that everyone will know what to do in case of an emergency.
- Get or replace your fire extinguisher: Keep a fire extinguisher handy and make sure every member of your household knows how to use it properly.
- Review your family's emergency preparedness kit: Check to see what needs to be replaced or included in your home disaster supply kit.
Visit our website for additional smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors safety information.
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