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.