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 are around to ensure our homes are safe and protected, giving everyone precious time to escape during a fire emergency. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the risk of dying in home fires is 55 percent lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or alarms that are non-functional. The most common reason for smoke alarm failure during a fire emergency is a missing, dead, disconnected or improperly installed battery.

Working smoke alarms will detect smoke and CO detectors will detect the presence of CO gas in the air. The NFPA recommends to install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm, like smoke alarms, on every level of the home, inside every bedroom, and outside each sleeping area.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), across the United States, almost three of every five home fire deaths result from fires in properties with no smoke alarms (41%) or smoke alarms that fail to operate (16%). CO, often referred to as the “invisible killer,” is a poisonous, deadly, odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas that is responsible for at least 430 deaths, with 50,000 people needing emergency treatment for accidental CO poisoning every year. 

Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors save lives! Changing their batteries while changing clocks twice a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce tragic deaths and injuries.

When turning our clocks back one hour this weekend, MDFR urges all residents to take this time to do a safety check around their homes by following these life-saving tips:

• Check and replace batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.
• Be sure to replace any smoke alarms that are older than 10 years and any carbon monoxide (CO) detectors that are older than 5 years.
• Remember to change batteries in other electronics in the home such as clocks, thermostats, outdoor lighting, phone accessories, flashlights and any other portable devices.
• Check inside the home and outdoor storage areas for hazardous materials. For those that are outdated, no longer in use or in poor condition, dispose of them properly.
• Review and practice your home fire escape plan with everyone in your household.
• This is also a good opportunity to 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.