The NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) today reminded New Yorkers to test and change the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.

“As we set our clocks back this weekend for the end of Daylight Savings Time, I encourage all New Yorkers to also take a few minutes to safeguard their families and homes from the threat of fires,” John P. Melville, DHSES Commissioner said.  “Testing smoke alarms and CO detectors, and changing their batteries on a regular basis, are a few easy, but important steps that can help prevent a future emergency."

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), three out of five home fire deaths in 2007-2011 resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms, according to its report titled “Smoke Alarms in U.S. Home Fires.”  The report examines the number of reported fires in U.S. households with and without working smoke alarms, as well as the effectiveness of smoke alarms in preventing fire-related deaths.

“Fire can be a devastating event, and its threat is always present in the home and at work,” Melville said.  “It is important for homeowners and renters to learn about much as possible about fire and how to prevent it from unnecessarily destroying lives and property.”

Bryant D. Stevens, New York State Fire Administrator said, “Throughout New York State, fire departments continue to find an unacceptable number of homes without these most basic life safety devices.  If you do not have smoke alarms and CO detectors in your home, have them installed immediately.  If they are already installed, take the time this weekend to ensure the safety of your family by testing, cleaning and replacing the batteries in all of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.”

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, or oil burn incompletely.  In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide.  In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 80,100 non-fire incidents in which carbon monoxide was found, or an average of nine calls per hour.  According to the NFPA, this represents an increase of 96 percent from 40,900 reported in 2003.

Melville and Stevens recommend that New Yorkers take the following steps to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones:

• Install smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.  CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards.
• Interconnect all smoke alarms and CO alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound.
• Replace all smoke and CO alarms every ten years or according to manufacturer’s recommendations, especially if they do not respond properly when tested.
• Test all smoke and CO alarms at least once a month.
• If you or someone in your home is deaf or hard of hearing, consider installing an alarm that combines flashing lights, vibration or sound.
• Recognize the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.  Some symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, light headedness or headaches.  High levels of CO can be fatal, causing death within minutes.
• Choose a smoke and CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.  Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for.  Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel arrives.
• Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open.  Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
• During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
• Generators should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.
• Only use gas or charcoal grills outdoors.

For more information on smoke and CO alarms and other home fire safety tips, visit the Office of Fire Prevention and Control’s website at www.dhses.ny.gov/OFPC.

About DHSES

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and its four offices -- Counter Terrorism, Emergency Management, Fire Prevention and Control, and Interoperable and Emergency Communications -- provide leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies.  For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or visit dhses.ny.gov.

The New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control advances public safety through firefighter training, education, fire prevention, investigative, special operations, and technical rescue programs. OFPC offers these services to firefighters and emergency responders, government agencies, public and private colleges, and the citizens of New York State.