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Massena firefighters remind residents to turn back clocks, check batteries in smoke alarms

Posted 11/5/16

MASSENA – Members of Massena Permanent Firefighters IAFF Local 2220 are reminding people to not only reset clocks for the end of Daylight Savings Time but to replace batteries in your smoke and …

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Massena firefighters remind residents to turn back clocks, check batteries in smoke alarms

Posted

MASSENA – Members of Massena Permanent Firefighters IAFF Local 2220 are reminding people to not only reset clocks for the end of Daylight Savings Time but to replace batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, too.

“Saving your life can be as simple as changing your smoke alarm batteries once a year and replacing smoke alarms every seven to 10 years,” said Justin Niles, a Massena firefighter. Special smoke alarms are even available for those who are deaf or hearing-impaired, he said.

Fire fighters urge people to use the change from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time in the fall and the reverse in the spring as reminders for a six-month check of alarms.

Standard Time returns this Sunday at 2 a.m.

Two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires in homes without a working smoking alarm, according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).

The NFPA reports that working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. Research has also demonstrated that photoelectric smoke alarms are more effective at warning people of smoke from smoldering fires than ionization smoke alarms. With earlier warning, people have more time to escape a burning structure and call to 9-1-1, Niles said.

Local firefighters recommend installing a dual purpose smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside of every bedroom and on each floor of your home.

“You should also install carbon monoxide alarms in your home and check them once a month,” said Niles. Carbon monoxide fumes are poisonous and will increase the intensity of a fire if ignited.

In the case of an emergency, call 9-1-1 for the help of your local firefighters.