Central Texas News

Daylight Savings Time ends November 6, 2022, and the City of Manvel urges all residents to change/check the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Alarms with removable batteries should have their batteries replaced. Alarms that have sealed batteries should be checked to ensure they are still functioning. Homeowners should replace any detector over ten years old.

Working smoke alarms often make the difference between life and death in a home fire. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, the risk of death in a home without working smoke detectors is 55% higher than in a home with fully-functioning alarms. Additionally, three of every five home fire deaths are in residences without working smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms provide critical minutes to escape the home in an emergency. Another vital tool is a carbon monoxide (CO) detector, which can warn of silent, but deadly, gas build-up in the home. As the weather gets colder, residents should conduct a home safety check to ensure that CO detectors are functioning properly.

Safety Tips Provided by the City of Manvel Fire Marshal’s Office and the National Fire Prevention Association:

• Test alarms at least once a month using the test button.
• If you have a smoke alarm with a removable battery, be sure to check the batteries every six months and change the batteries at least once a year. If a battery is starting to lose its power, the unit will usually chirp to warn you. Do not disable the unit.
• Vacuum or blow out any dust that might accumulate in the unit.
• Never borrow a battery from an alarm to use somewhere else.
• Never paint a smoke or CO alarm.
• Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home, including the basement and in or around sleeping areas.
• Smoke alarms should not be installed near a window. Drafts could interfere with their operation.
• Families should develop and practice a home fire escape plan.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for testing smoke alarms and replacing batteries.

Original source can be found here.