The Cottleville Fire Protection District would like to remind everyone to change their smoke detector batteries when they change their clocks Saturday/Sunday, November 5th. In addition, we would like to provide a few maintenance and safety tips regarding smoke detectors.
- If the smoke detector is more than ten (10) years old, it needs to be replaced.
- Hard wired smoke detectors in newer homes do have batteries, so insure that you change them.
- Some older homes, ten to twenty years old, have hard wired smoke detectors without battery backups. These smoke detectors need to be replaced with hardwired smoke detectors with battery backups.
- Keep in mind those smoke detectors without battery backups will not work if your electricity is out.
- When placing a smoke detector in your home, insure that you install it at least 18 inches from void spaces i.e. that area where the ceiling and wall meet.
- Install smoke detectors away from vents.
Now would also be a good time to review your emergency escape plan and/or if you do not have one a good time to make one. Remember to sleep with you door shut as this simple step can give you an extra 15 to 25 minutes to escape a fire safely.
In addition to smoke detectors, CO alarms should be checked. A CO alarm ten years old or older should be replaced. When installing a CO alarm, insure that it is away from vents, in an area where you will hear it when you are sleeping, and not installed near gas fired appliances.