State Fire Marshal Reminds People to Change Batteries in Smoke, Carbon Monoxide Detectors As They Change Their Clocks for Daylight Saving Time

Working Smoke, Carbon Monoxide Detectors Save Lives

[March 08, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- State Fire Marshal David B. Foreman said that this weekend's change to daylight saving time should serve as a reminder for people to change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as they move their clocks forward one hour.

"In the past three decades, residential smoke alarms have helped cut home fire deaths by half," said Foreman. "But smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are only effective if they have good batteries installed in them. That's why we're encouraging people to develop a regular routine and change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at the same time they change their clocks. It's really a very simple thing, but it can make a life-or-death difference."

Foreman said it's also important for families to develop and practice a plan for quick evacuation if the smoke or carbon monoxide detector sounds. Plans should include multiple exit routes from the house and a meeting place at a safe distance outside the home.

Smoke alarm tips:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, making sure there is an alarm outside every separate sleeping area.

• Test your smoke alarms once a month.

• Don't disable smoke alarms, even temporarily.

• Replace smoke alarms once every 10 years.

• Consider installing smoke alarms with "long-life" (10-year) batteries.

• If you or someone in your house is deaf or hard of hearing, consider installing an alarm that combines flashing lights or vibration with sound.

• If you're building a new home or installing an existing one, consider installing an automatic home fire sprinkler system. Sprinklers and smoke alarms together cut your risk of dying in a home fire 82 percent relative to having neither.

Since Jan. 1, 2007, all buildings that use fossil fuel and have sleeping rooms or an attached garage must have an approved, operating carbon monoxide detector installed within 15 feet of any sleeping area. Homes that have all electric appliances and do not have a fireplace or an attached garage are exempt from the requirements.

Foreman said there are several steps people should take to prevent carbon monoxide buildup in their homes:

• Have your chimneys and fuel-burning heating equipment -- furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters, wood and coal stoves, space or portable heaters -- inspected by a professional every year before cold weather arrives.

• When using a fireplace, open the flue for adequate ventilation.

• Never use your oven to heat your home.

• Never leave a vehicle running in an attached garage, even if the garage doors are open.

• Never use a barbecue grill indoors.

[Text from Office of the State Fire Marshal file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]