NAHANT — With the end of daylight saving time approaching this weekend, Chief Michael Feinberg is encouraging residents to test their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2 a.m. In addition to turning back any manual clocks by one hour, he said daylight saving time is a good time to check detectors.
“Changing your clocks back is also a great time to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and replace any worn-out batteries,” said Feinberg. “The two times a year that we adjust our clocks coincide nicely with the need to ensure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly, which can prevent a needless tragedy from occuring.”
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that 46 percent of smoke alarms that failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead batteries and roughly three out of every five fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms.
The Nahant 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.
Feinberg recommends that residents follow safety tips outlined by the 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 the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when you change your clocks.
- Replace all smoke alarms after 10 years. Replace carbon monoxide detectors according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Carbon monoxide 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 carbon monoxide alarms throughout the home so when one sounds, they all sound.
- If the carbon monoxide 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 and stay in that spot until emergency personnel arrive.
For more information on smoke detector and CO alarm safety, visit the NFPA website or contact the Nahant Fire Department at 781-581-1235.
