Fall is a Good Time to Check, Replace Smoke, CO Alarms

By John Rindfleisch, CLINTON FIRE CHIEF

When you read this it will be toward the end of Fire Prevention Week 2016. This year’s campaign is “Don’t Wait – Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years,” represents the final year of a three year effort to educate the public about basic but essential elements of smoke alarm safety. Why focus on smoke alarms three years in a row? Because NFPA’s (National Fire Protection Association) survey data shows that the public has many misconceptions about smoke alarms, which may put them at increased risk in the event of a home fire. For example, only a small percentage of people know how old their smoke alarms are, or how often they need to be replaced. As a result of those and related findings, they are addressing smoke alarm replacement this year with a focus on these key messages. It is very important to replace your smoke alarms every 10 years. Check every smoke detector in your home to be sure you know how old they are. To find out how old a smoke alarm is, look at the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm; the alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date. Another tip is to write the purchase date on the back with a sharpie and mark it every time you change the batteries so you can do a quick check twice a year. As of February 1, 2011, there were Wisconsin requirements for both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in almost all one and two family dwellings, regardless of the building’s age.

The new carbon monoxide safety net is for dwellings with fuel burning appliances, fireplaces or attached garages. Owners are responsible for alarm installations and occupants have responsibility to maintain the alarms. Owners must repair or replace alarms within five days of written notice from an occupant or an inspector. Authorized inspectors may enter dwellings to inspect alarms when requested by owners or occupants.  Tampering with alarms is illegal, dangerous, and can cause serious liability concerns. Freezing can damage carbon monoxide alarms. Alarms must be installed in the basement and on each floor level. The alarms need not be installed in attics, garages or storage areas. The alarms may be separate or combination units, powered by batteries, or in the case of new construction, tied into the home’s electrical system, interconnected with battery backup. Installation must follow manufacturers’ instructions. Those instructions are provided with new alarms and usually can be found on the manufacturers’ websites. The manufacturer should be identified on the alarm. Alarms used in Wisconsin must be approved by Underwriters Laboratories. Carbon monoxide is a gas created by incomplete burning of fuels. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and tasteless, but highly toxic. It can build up over time, with unrecognized symptoms such as headaches, nausea, disorientation, or irritability eventually building to unconsciousness and fatal poisoning. Carbon monoxide alarms warn of the gas before it reaches dangerous levels. Examples of some carbon monoxide sources are garages, heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, appliances or cooking sources using coal, wood, oil, kerosene, or other fuels. Electric appliances are not carbon monoxide sources.

Alarms do not guarantee safety and alarms must be tested regularly and should have batteries changed at least annually, or when a low-battery warning sounds. The alarms must not be painted over and should be kept clean. Alarms should be replaced when they reach the end of their life span. Buildings with more than two residential units also need smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The installation requirements for those multi-family dwellings are different. The rules for alarms in multi-family dwellings and any other public buildings can be found in the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code. These alarms need regular maintenance and battery changes. According to the Residential Fire Safety Institute, over 92 percent of dwellings in the U.S. have at least one smoke detector. That sounds like an encouraging statistic, but it’s estimated that one- third of these alarms no longer work. This is because many of us either forget to test our alarms, or don’t replace dead batteries when we should. While smoke alarms are fairly low maintenance, they can’t be completely ignored. Use these tips to keep them working properly. Vacuum alarms at least once a year to remove dust; a big contributor to faulty alarms. Replace batteries every year unless you use the long life kind. Avoid using long life batteries in older smoke alarms as they could render them inoperable. Install a mix of both ionization and photo-electric alarms. The ionization detectors activate quicker for fast, flaming fires, while the photo-electric detectors respond faster to slow, smoldering fires. To ensure that you’ll hear the alarm and be able to respond quickly, it’s a good idea to situate them in the following areas. Outside each bedroom area, and in each bedroom; and on every level of your home. Though cooking accounts for most home fires, you don’t want the alarm going off every time you cook; so make sure it’s not too close to the kitchen. CO alarms should be installed on every floor of the home and near every sleeping area to help detect the presence of CO throughout your home. Make sure alarms are installed at least 15 feet away from potential sources of CO to reduce the chance of false alarms.

Test alarm function monthly and change batteries every six months. Make sure to clear CO alarms of all dust and debris. Ensure that alarms are plugged all the way into the outlet or; if solely battery operated, have working batteries installed. Check or replace smoke and CO alarm batteries when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall; and make certain each person in your home can hear the smoke and CO alarm sound from his or her sleeping room and that the sound is loud enough to awaken everyone.

Get outdoors and enjoy this great weather, trees changing color, some fresh apples and carve a pumpkin. But on the top of the list is make sure you go over your fire prevention list and be prepared.

Until next week, stay safe,

Chief Rindfleisch