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Daylight-saving time provides important home safety reminder to replace aging smoke alarms With the beginning of daylight saving time and the "spring forward" time change on March 9, many people will change the batteries in their smoke alarms, along with setting their clocks ahead one hour. However, simply replacing the batteries in some smoke alarms may not be enough to ensure protection against fire emergencies, specifically if those alarms are older than 10 years. Studies from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) indicate one out of four alarms may not be functional due to the age of the alarm, as well as dead or missing batteries. That's why the NFPA strongly recommends replacing smoke alarms after 10 years. Advances significant in 10 Years In addition to ensuring the best protection and earliest warning in the event of a fire, the smoke alarms available today offer new technologies and features that were virtually inconceivable 10 years ago. Thanks to today's technology the different types of alarms can commmunicate with each other. Some brands can be programed so that when one alarm sounds, all alarms sound, giving everyone in the home a better chance of hearing the alarms and reacting quickly. In addition, several smoke alarm models are now available with special lithium batteries that last 10 years and never have to be replaced during the recommended life of the alarm. Other features of today's smoke alarms include remote controlled muting, to quiet nuisance alarms and easy access battery compartments, which allow consumers to change or replace batteries without having to remove the alarm from the ceiling. Smoke alarm maintenance tips Fire safety education and routine maintenance of smoke alarms are the cornerstones to reducing the incidence and severity of home fires. Raising awareness about fire safety issues and help people protect themselves. Replacing home smoke alarms after 10 years is as important as changing the batteries with daylight-saving time. The following are simple steps people can take that will greatly reduce the risk of firerelated injury and property loss: •Change the batteries in smoke alarms every six months or when the low battery signal is heard. •Test your alarms weekly using the units' test buttons to ensure batteries and all alarm functions are working properly. •Never remove the unit's batteries to stop an unwanted alarm or "nuisance" alarm, such as those caused by cooking smoke or burnt toast. According to the NFPA, half of the deaths in homes equipped with smoke alarms occur because the smoke alarm did not sound - usually when batteries are dead, disconnected or missing.
•Replace older smoke alarms after 10 years or in accordance with manufacturer's warranties.
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