For Immediate Release

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-533-9398
Email: john@jgpr.net

Stoneham Fire Department Reminds Residents to Check Smoke and CO Detectors During Daylight Saving Time

STONEHAM – With daylight saving time approaching, Chief Matthew Grafton and the Stoneham Fire Department would like to remind residents to test their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Daylight saving begins Sunday, March 12 at 2 a.m.

“Having functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is incredibly important and can be life saving,” Chief Grafton said. “By simply checking your devices, you are doing your family an invaluable service that can prevent sickness or death.”

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that 46 percent of smoke alarms that failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead batteries. The Stoneham Fire Department asks that all business owners not only change the batteries in their clocks, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, but also replace the batteries on wall mounted emergency lights and exit signs. All businesses have emergency backup lighting as a safety feature to provide temporary lighting in case of power failure.

In order to keep your home safe and prevent fires, Chief Grafton recommends that residents follow safety tips outlined by NFPA:

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month using the test button. Replace alarms immediately if they don’t respond properly when tested.
• Replace batteries in smoke and CO alarms when you change your clocks.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they reach 10 years old. Replace CO detectors according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area, on every level of the home, and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
• If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay in that spot until emergency personnel arrive.

For more information on smoke detector and CO alarm safety, visit the NFPA website or contact the Stoneham Fire Department at 781-438-0127.

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