As clocks are rolled forward this weekend to Daylight Savings Time, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) reminds all New Yorkers that they should take a moment to test their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.  Smoke alarms provide early warning of a fire and can provide extra time to escape safely.  However, smoke alarms may not work properly if homeowners and renters don’t test them and replace the batteries regularly.

“Smoke detectors are our first warning sign that something is wrong,” said DHSES Acting Commissioner John P. Melville.  “A working smoke detector can alert you quickly so you have time to react and get everyone out of the house safely.”

State Fire Administrator Bryant Stevens said, “Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are essential in saving lives from fire.  The risk of dying in reported home structure fires is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, deaths occurring from home fires were more than twice as high in homes that did not have any working smoke alarms as it was in homes with working smoke alarms either because no smoke alarm was present or an alarm was present, but did not operate.

Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control.  It is odorless, and colorless but kills more than 400 people every year and sends more than 20,000 people to the emergency room.  The only safe way to detect carbon monoxide is with a carbon monoxide alarm.

Here are some important safety tips from OFPC about smoke and carbon monoxide alarms:

Smoke Alarms

- Install smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
- For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound.
- Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years or sooner if they do not work properly when tested.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms
- Install CO alarms on every floor and in sleeping areas to fully protect your family.
- For homes with carbon monoxide alarms installed five or more years ago, it is time to replace those alarms to help ensure protection from the silent killer.
- When using gas or charcoal grills, be sure that you do so outdoors in well-ventilated, dry areas, away from air intakes to the home.

For more information on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and other home fire safety tips, visit OFPC’s website at www.dhses.ny.gov/ofpc.