TRENTON — The Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Division of Fire Safety is reminding residents that the end of Daylight Saving Time on Nov. 1, 2015 is a good time to check and change the batteries in all household smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
“Functional smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are necessary in every home,” said DCA Commissioner Charles A. Richman. “They are an inexpensive way to protect families in the event of a fire, by alerting them to danger in time for them to safely escape.”
This year’s fire safety theme, “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep,” encourages homeowners to regularly test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. All households should have alarms located outside a bedroom on every floor, including the basement. According to Division of Fire Safety statistics, residential fires account for nearly 80 percent of all residential fires in the state and occur between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
“We cannot overemphasize the importance of smoke or odorless carbon monoxide alerts in a household,” said William Kramer, Jr., Acting Director and State Fire Marshal. “Simply installing new batteries during the time change and making sure the devices work will provide you with the precious time needed to escape from deadly carbon monoxide gas or a quickly moving fire.”
“A properly installed and maintained smoke and CO alarm is a family’s first defense against fire,” Kramer added.
In addition to changing batteries, residents should replace the alarms often. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced after ten and five years, respectively. “Awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm provides protection 24 hours a day,” Kramer said.
Kramer also referenced a recent incident where New Jersey radio personality Jeff Deminski and his family, including their newborn child were alerted by a home carbon monoxide alarm. http://nj1015.com/i-beg-you-get-a-carbon-monoxide-detector/
The Division of Fire Safety serves as the central fire service agency in the State. The Division is responsible for the development and enforcement of the State Uniform Fire Code, as well as for implementing public education and firefighter training programs.
For more information, visit www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dfs/.
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