Leap into spring with smoke alarm test

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Daylight saving time begins this weekend, and Capt. Phil Rickabaugh of the Maryville Public Safety fire division is reminding local residents that “springing forward” an hour on the clock serves as a handy reminder to test and change the batteries in residential smoke alarms.

Rickabaugh said MPS makes a major effort to remind people to check smoke alarms when central standard time resumes in the fall and folks begin switching on furnaces and plugging in space heaters. But he adds that home alarms should be checked and batteries changed twice a year.

The MPS fire division has a limited number of smoke alarms and batteries, provided by the American Red Cross, available for people who might not be able to afford them.

Rickabaugh said the program is largely intended for low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled. In addition, firefighters will install home alarms on request.

Citizens in need of installation assistance can call Public Safety at 660.562.3209.

Each year nearly 4,000 Americans die in fires and approximately 16,000 are injured.

At least 80 percent of fires in the United States occur in the home, and the National Fire Protection Association says that roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in residences where there are no smoke alarms or alarms are not working.

Rickabaugh recommends the following procedures for protecting your home and family from the ravages of fire:

• Install a smoke alarm in every bedroom of your home.

• Put a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Large homes need more alarms.

• Install smoke alarms on the ceiling or high on the wall.

• Test alarms monthly by pushing the test button.

• Change batteries twice a year, in the spring and fall, when you change your clocks for daylight saving time.

• Replace smoke alarms 10 years from the date of manufacture.

• Remember that the level of safety improves when smoke alarms are connected so that when one sounds they all sound.

• Note that special alarms are available for those who are hearing impaired.

For more fire safety tips, go to missourifamilies.org/features/housingarticles/testsmoke.htm.