North Bay, ON – March 12, 2021 – As the March 14th time change approaches, North Bay Fire & Emergency Services reminds residents to make another change this weekend that could save their lives - “Change the Batteries in your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms.”
The message is simple and this 5 minute habit could be life saving. Most fatal fires occur at night when people are asleep. Often the victims never wake up. Changing smoke alarm batteries, testing these alarms and reminding others to do the same are some of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries.
“Working smoke alarms provide an early warning and critical extra seconds to escape,” said Fire Chief Jason Whiteley. Unfortunately, approximately two-thirds of all fire deaths occur in homes where there are no working smoke alarms. And don’t forget the batteries in your carbon monoxide alarms."
While you are changing the batteries, take a moment to check the age of each alarm in your home; smoke and carbon monoxide alarms don’t last forever. Look for the manufacturers expiration date on the back or the side of the alarm. If any smoke alarms (battery operated or hardwired) are over 10 years old, or if the unit is so old its age cannot accurately be determined – replace them right away!
Like smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms also wear out, (just because the test button works does not mean the sensors inside are functioning). Carbon monoxide alarms need to be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions or every 7 years.
