On March 10th, as we turn our clocks ahead, this is a good time to change the batteries in our smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Winter is when more fires occur in our homes – where we feel safest – and when most fatal fires occur. Making sure the smoke alarms are working is a simple, effective way to help your family survive an unexpected fire.

A working smoke alarm could double your family’s chance of surviving a fire and when combined with a practiced home escape plan, the chances are greater! People rely on what they have practiced during an emergency which is why we have fire drills in schools.

When you change the batteries in your home fire safety devices this year, inspect the alarms and check the date of manufacture. All electronic devices have a limited life span, so it is important that you replace your older smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with new ones to protect your family.

Smoke alarms need to be replaced every ten years. If your smoke alarm is ten years old or older, it is time to replace them! Carbon monoxide alarms need to be replaced every five or seven years, depending on the manufacturer. Check for a date of manufacture on the back of the device or consult the manufacturer’s instructions for the recommended replacement date. If you can’t tell how old they are, it’s time to replace them.

Information provided by: Phil Tammaro, Billerica Fire Department SAFE Coordinator.

For more information on smoke alarms, go to www.mass.gov/dfs then click “Fire Safety Topics” then “Smoke Alarms.” or simply click here.

Replace Aging Carbon Monoxide Alarms; They Don’t Last Forever

Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms have been required in nearly every residence since March of 2006. The life expectancy of these alarms is 5-7 years, depending on the alarm manufacturer. Many CO alarms installed after the state’s CO law was passed are now reaching the end of their useful life and need to be replaced. No home appliance lasts forever. The life of a CO alarm begins when it is first powered up. Most CO alarms have a date of manufacture stamped on them, which can be used as a guide if the activation date was not recorded. To learn more about your CO alarm, contact your manufacturer. Two manufacturers of CO Alarms are Kidde and BRK/First Alert.

Their websites can be reached by clicking here: Kidde / BRK First Alert.

Signs a CO Alarm Needs Replacing

One sign that a carbon monoxide alarm should be replaced is a chirping sound that does not stop until the unit is powered off. Another sign that a CO alarm should be replaced is that it makes the low battery signal even after brand new batteries are installed. Models with a digital read out will show an “ERR” or “E09″ or “END” message.

Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide, the Invisible, Odorless Killer

The purpose of the Beat the Beep campaign is to alert residents that their CO alarms may be reaching the end of the their lifecycles and should be replaced BEFORE the beeps indicating end of life. This also provides continuous protection against possible CO poisoning and reduces the number of false alarms to local fire departments and emergency service providers.

Many Lives Saved by “Nicole’s Law”

Since Nicole’s Law took effect in 2006 requiring CO alarms in nearly every Massachusetts residence, many people have been saved from CO poisoning. CO alarms notified them that something was wrong at the earliest possible stages of CO detection. There still have been deaths from CO poisoning, but in most cases those homes had no CO alarms. Your safety depends on working CO detectors.

For more information or questions regarding this topic, please contact your local fire department. Billerica residents may contact the Billerica Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau at 978-671-0941.

All information has been provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Fire Services – www.mass.gov/dfs

It’s that time of year again! The Billerica Firefighters Local 1495 will be collecting toy donations in support of the Toys for Tots campaign this season! The Billerica Fire Department is an official Toys for Tots drop off location. Now through December 17th, new, unwrapped toys can be donated at any of the 5 fire stations in town. Your support is really needed this holiday season. For more information on the Toys for Tots campaign, please click here.