SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002

Time and Smoke Detectors

Incident #: 
Date of Incident: 03/07/2013
Issuing Officer: Jan Doherty/Public Education Officer

Narrative:
 CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS AND CHECK YOUR DETECTORS!
 
When you move your clocks ahead one hour to begin Daylight Savings Time this Sunday, March 10, please remember to also check on the condition of your smoke detectors.  Two out of three home fire deaths happen in households without working smoke detectors.  
 
This weekend, please:
 

• Replace alkaline 9-volt batteries on your smoke detectors.  Keep a supply of batteries on hand in case your detector ever begins to “chirp” in the middle of the night.
• Alkaline 9-volt batteries should last 1 year. Lithium 9-volt batteries can last up to 10 years.  If your detector begins chirping and it has a lithium battery, it is telling you that the whole detector needs to be replaced.
• Read the information on the back of your smoke detector to determine two key facts: age and type of detector.  If the manufacture date is before 3-10-03, replace the detector immediately. Smoke detectors are not reliable for more than 10 years of service, even if the horn still makes a  beeping sound.  If you only have ionization detectors in your home, add at least one photoelectric detector on each level of the house this weekend. While ionization detectors alert to fast burning fires up to 55 seconds faster than photoelectric, they can be 40 minutes slower for slow-burning, smoldering fires.
• If you have problems with “nuisance alarms” when you cook or when someone takes a shower, replace ionization detectors within 20 feet of the kitchen or bathroom with photoelectric units. Photoelectric detectors seldom give a nuisance alarm.
• Help your neighbors check the condition of their detectors if they are not able to safely reach them to replace batteries or detectors.
• If you have questions on smoke detectors, please call Spokane Fire Department at 625-7058 or contact Jan Doherty at jdoherty@spokanefire.org.

End Of Release
For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002