Time to change smoke alarms

Clocks won’t be the only thing changing on Sunday.

While people are setting their clocks back by 2 a.m. Sunday for Daylight Saving Time, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York is encouraging them to also use it as a time to change the batteries in smoke alarms.

The association is reminding people that smoke alarms and carbon-monoxide detectors should be checked and the batteries changed at least once a year.

GOOD DEFENSE

David Jacobowitz, the association’s president, said in a news release that for those who don’t change them in the spring, November is a good time to do it.

“Smoke and (carbon-monoxide) alarms are the first line of defense against the deadly effects of fire and carbon monoxide,” he said.

Jacobowitz suggests installing alarms on each floor of your home, including sleeping areas and basements. People should follow the manufacturers’ instructions.

“Never install either type near windows or other ventilation sources, where drafts may prevent them from working properly,” he said.

SPREADING THE WORD

Jeff Jacques, a spokesman for the Firemen’s Association and a volunteer firefighter in Lake Placid, says it’s an important annual reminder.

“Fire prevention, that’s what we’re about. (We are) trying to get the word out to people to … prevent fires and prevent deaths.”

Jacques says safety trainings occur at individual fire departments across the state, and some hand out smoke detectors to residents. Lake Placid Fire Department has done this in the past, he said.

STATE LAW

In February 2010, Amanda’s Law went into effect in New York state. Named after a Buffalo teen who died from carbon-monoxide poisoning while sleeping, Amanda’s Law requires detectors to be installed in single-family and two-family homes, condominiums, co-op residences and multiple dwellings, near systems that have the potential to emit carbon monoxide.

“A lot of people don’t think of carbon monoxide being dangerous,” Jacques said, stressing the importance of checking carbon-monoxide detectors as often as smoke alarms.

HOLIDAY SAFETY

And with holidays just around the corner, firefighters are also pushing the significance of seasonal safety.

Jacques said it’s important, with Thanksgiving cooking, to make sure to follow manufacturer directions if using turkey fryers and to do so in a safe environment.

“It’s really important for us to get the word out because if we did not … at these times of the year, who would? And how many people would think of this?

“By us getting out the word as much as we can, it helps the public, it helps (residents’) safety and prevents fires from occurring throughout New York state.”