TIME TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD INSPECT YOUR SMOKE AND CO DETECTORS
At 2 a.m. March 9, while most of us are asleep, daylight savings time begins. This most welcome occurrence gives us more light in the evening and ends dark evening commutes and pitch black dinner hours. For a few months, at least. While you are celebrating emerging from winter’s hibernation, take the time to do a bit of housekeeping. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are in good working order. It may save your life.
SMOKE DETECTORS SAVE LIVES
Sadly, 3,670 people perished in house fires in 2023, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Most of these deaths occur in homes without a working smoke detector. At a minimum, a residential structure should have one smoke detector on each floor, including the basement and attic. Ideally, smoke detectors should also be placed in each sleeping area as well. It’s important to change the batteries in each detector twice a year. The folks at Delco Alarm Systems also recommend homeowners conduct a quick check of each smoke detector once a month. Our technicians can instruct you how to use canned smoke to make sure all detectors are in good working order. It’s also wise to give each device a quick dusting to make sure a spider hasn’t made itself a nice home inside. Also, check to see that all smoke detectors are free of grease, paint and dirt. If you find a device that is damaged, replace it right away. Never gamble with your family’s safety. And remember, make sure you and your family have a fire escape plan so everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire.
CARBON MONOXIDE, THE SILENT KILLER
Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are also a must. Place one on each living level of your home, in the basement and near, not in, an attached garage. Carbon monoxide, dubbed the silent killer is an odorless gas that is undetectable to people and pets. Produced when natural gas, propane, wood or coal is burned, CO quickly becomes dangerous when an area is not properly ventilated or when a chimney is blocked. CO detectors monitor the levels of CO in a home and activate before CO can reach dangerous levels. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey you are required to have CO detectors in private dwellings. In Delaware, any new home or addition is required to have CO detectors if they contain a fossil-fuel burning device. Remember, keep grills, generators and other fuel-burning
devices outside and away from doors and windows The experts at Delco Alarm Systems can design a fire system for your home that will protect your family and meet all local, state and national fire codes. For more information call Delco Alarm Systesm at 610-494-9100.