10/31/08: ‘Smoke-Out’ Dead Detectors: Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery

‘Smoke-Out’ Dead Detectors: Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery
10/31/08 Morning Edition
http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/consumer/article/smoke_out_dead_detectors_change_your_clock_change_your_battery/15741/

Johnson City Fire official say 92% of American homes have smoke detectors, but nearly one-third of those don’t work.
Daylight saving time is this Sunday at two a.m. and area fire officials are reminding everyone to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. It’s part of the national ‘Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery Campaign.’
Here are some of the things to check on your smoke detector:
Smoke Detector Check List

* Test smoke detector at least once a week

* Clean smoke detector it out at least once a month

* Vacuum around smoke detector for dust and bugs which may delay and alarm

* Avoid dead airspace around smoke detector

* Place smoke detector 4-12 inches down from the ceiling if you’re hanging it on the wall

* Position smoke detector at least 4 inches away from the wall if you’re hanging it on the ceiling

Johnson City Fire Assistant Chief Mark Finucane says it only takes two ‘beeps’ to ensure your safety.
“People place the battery inside the detector, close the lid and hang it up on the wall; however that detector is not in operation,” said Finucane
Sweeps ‘Smoke-Out’ Dead Detectors

The JCFD conducts smoke detector sweeps free of charge to check homes around Johnson City. These efforts typically canvass low to moderate income housing areas. Fire Marshall Sam McLain says the next sweep will survey 180 homes November 13th. Batteries Plus is donating approximately 250 batteries to the upcoming sweep.
During these checks, Finucane says fire crews often find smoke detectors with dead or no batteries. A popular mistake many people make is they have a battery in the detector and it’s not even pushed in all the way.
“Make sure that the 9-volt batteries to your detectors are connected and that your detector is working,” added Finucane.
Area fire officials say whether you’re using a 9-volt or tamper-resistant lithium battery pack; it’s important to know the age of your smoke detector. You can find a smoke detector’s issue date by looking on the back of the unit.
“If the smoke detector is around eight years or older, or if the person of occupant of the structure doesn’t know the age of the device we go ahead and recommend the detector be replaced,” said Finucane.
Johnson City Fire officials plan to give out lithium battery-operated smoke detectors during their next sweep.
“Once you place it inside of the detector you cannot tamper with it, you can not get it out”
Ionization, Photoelectric and Dual-Sensor Alarms

Johnson City Fire officials urge people to get dual-sensor smoke alarms that cover two types of fire dangers. They combine Ionization and Photoelectric detectors.
Ionization units detect flaming fires like the ones involving paper and flammable liquids.
Photoelectric detectors respond faster to smoldering fires like the ones ignited by cigarettes, bedding and mattresses.
The lithium battery-operated smoke detectors have a 10-year lifespan. Finucane say lithium smoke detectors are considered your best line of defense since the battery pack is tamper proof.
He advises tracking the age of the detector by circling the month and year on the back of the unit.
Fire officials say people often steal batteries out of detectors in hotels and apartments. So if you never check you may never know your smoke detector is dead.
“Once you place it inside of the detector you cannot tamper with it, you can not get it out”
****RELATED LINKS ****

Johnson City Fire Department

http://www.johnsoncitytn.org/index.php?page=home-21
Turkey fryers and fires

http://www.tricities.com/tri/news/local/article/-TRI_2007_11_19_0024/9111/ ###