November 6th: Set Your Clock Back...and Change Your Smoke Alarm Batteries

Here's an important reminder from the Billings Fire Department.  Please take a few moments to review these fire safety tips and to share them with your friends and family. 

This year on November 6th when you set your clocks back, don’t forget to change your smoke alarm batteries. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths in the U.S. are the result of non-working smoke alarms or not having any smoke alarms in the home. Keep your family safe by following these simple safety steps:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires, and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of alarms or a combination alarm (photoelectric and ionization) should be installed in homes.
• Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
• Smoke rises; install smoke alarms following manufacturer's instructions high on a wall or on a ceiling. Save manufacturer's instructions for testing and maintenance.
• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm “chirps”, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
• Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond properly.
• Be sure the smoke alarm has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Alarms that are hard-wired (and include battery backup) must be installed by a qualified electrician.
• If cooking fumes or steam sets off nuisance alarms, replace the alarm with an alarm that has a "hush" button. A "hush" button will reduce the alarm’s sensitivity for a short period of time.
• Smoke alarms that include a recordable voice announcement in addition to the usual alarm sound, may be helpful in waking children through the use of a familiar voice.
• Also please remember to talk about and practice a home escape plan with your children.