News
Change Clocks, Change Batteries
Published:
10/29/2009
October 29, 2009
As we change our clocks this Sunday morning back to Standard Time, it is a good reminder to change the batteries in your smoke alarms.
Checking your smoke alarms and making seasonal changes to your disaster supplies kit can go a long way in helping you prepare for disasters and other emergencies.
“Smoke alarms save lives,” says John Gullo, Assistant Chief of Vigilant Fire Company. “The extra time that the smoke alarm provides, greatly increases your chance of survival in a house fire. They are one of the best safety devices you can buy and install to protect you, your family, and your home.”
The Vigilant Fire Company asks the West Seneca Community to join in efforts to reduce risks, prevent fires, and improve community safety by:
• Have a battery operated smoke alarm on every level of your home, even if you have hard-wired smoke alarms.
• Check your hard-wired and battery operated smoke alarms every month.
• Change the batteries twice a year, when changing our clocks.
• Replace the entire unit every 8-10 years.
• Make sure everyone in the household knows the sound the alarm makes and what to do if they hear it.
• Have an escape plan for your home and designate a meeting place outside the home to account for family members in the event of an emergency.
• Never “borrow” smoke alarm batteries or disconnect them from the device.
• Never paint a smoke alarm.
As Standard Time begins, change your clocks and change your smoke alarm batteries too. This is an easy way to protect your family from fire. For other important safety information, visit our Fire Prevention Page.
The West Seneca Office of Disaster Preparedness recommends that when you change your clocks, also do the following:
- Check the smoke alarms in your home and at work. Don't forget to check your carbon monoxide detectors as well.
- Update the emergency contact information in your family communications plan. Choose an out-of-area emergency contact that each person in your family can call if he/she becomes separated during a disaster situation.
- Make sure that your disaster supplies kit still includes at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food items and water (one gallon per person per day), a flashlight, a battery-powered or crank radio, can opener, first aid kit, copies of important documents, and special items such as medications, diapers, and infant formula.
- Check your disaster supplies kit for expired food items and freshen staples such as water, food and batteries. If there have been changes in prescriptions or dietary needs, add new foods and medications as needed.
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