CPSC Warns the Smoke Detectors in About 16 Million Homes Do
Not Work
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday,
October 26, so most of the country will gain an hour when we
turn our clocks back. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) suggests consumers spend part of this extra time
testing to ensure that their smoke detectors work properly.
Fire is the second leading cause of accidental death in
the home. Each year, more than 3,500 people die in home
fires, and there are more than 400,000 residential fires
serious enough to be reported to fire departments.
About 90 percent of U.S. households have smoke
detectors installed. However, a 1992 CPSC survey shows that
the smoke detectors in 20 percent of those households --
about 16 million -- were not working, mostly because the
battery was dead or missing.
"Smoke detectors can save lives, but they won't work if
they are not maintained," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown.
"They should be tested monthly, and the batteries should be
replaced at least once a year or when they make a 'chirping'
sound."
Long-life smoke detectors with 10-year batteries have
been available to consumers since 1995. These long-life
detectors also should be tested monthly.
CPSC recommends consumers place a smoke detector that
meets the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories' (UL)
standard outside their bedrooms and on each level of multi-
story homes.
For more tips on fire safety, explore CPSC's web site
at: http://www.cpsc.gov.