Daylight-Saving Time Starts April 3
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reminds Americans to change their smoke alarm batteries when changing their clocks for Daylight-Saving Time this Sunday, April 3. While about 90 percent of U.S. households have smoke alarms installed, a CPSC survey estimated millions of those households, about 20 percent, do not have any working alarms.
"A working smoke alarm can save lives. It's that simple and that important," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton.
Each year, an estimated 2,850 people die in residential fires, 16,000 people are injured, and more than 353,500 residential fires are reported to fire departments. CPSC recommends changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year and testing each smoke alarm every month to make sure it is working properly. Long-life smoke alarms with 10-year batteries have been available to consumers since 1995. These long-life alarms also should be tested monthly.
At least one smoke alarm should be placed on every level of the home. The most important location is near the bedrooms to provide an early warning to all sleeping occupants. A smoke alarm should also be placed inside every bedroom. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to properly install a smoke alarm.
The CPSC also urges families to plan escape routes, identify a family meeting place safely outside the home, and practice leaving their homes in the event of a fire. It is important to be aware of and remove any obstacles that may prevent a quick and safe evacuation, such as blocked exits or jammed or barred windows.
"A little bit of planning goes a long way," said Stratton. "Every family should develop a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year with the entire household."
Stratton also warns that children may not wake up from the sound of a smoke alarm. "Parents should hold a fire drill during the night so they can assess their children's ability to awaken and respond appropriately," he said. "If children, or any family member, cannot awaken to or hear the smoke alarm, the escape plan should be adjusted to help all family members get out safely."
In addition to working smoke alarms, the CPSC recommends that every home have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm near every sleeping area. Consumers also need to regularly test and replace batteries in CO alarms.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC's Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @OnSafety or by subscribing to CPSC's free e-mail newsletters.