State Fire Marshal Larry L. Flowers is reminding Ohioans to think about what they can do to prepare for the event of a fire at home by changing the batteries in their smoke alarms when moving clocks back one hour this Sunday, November 6, 2016.
In conjunction with Ohio’s fire departments and the #WhatCanYouDo social media campaign, the Division of State Fire Marshal encourages Ohioans to make a habit of changing the batteries in their smoke alarms at least twice a year – at the beginning and end of daylight savings time.
#WhatCanYouDo challenges Ohioans to think about one thing they can do to prevent or prepare for the event of a fire in your home. Working smoke alarms play a major role in this initiative.
“You only have a few minutes to escape a fire in your home,” Marshal Flowers said. “A working smoke alarm is a first warning that something there is a fire, and gives you valuable seconds to get out safely.”
Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home and inside and outside of each sleeping area. Ohioans are encouraged to develop an escape plan with two ways out and make sure every family member knows what to do and where to meet outside if the smoke alarm sounds. Take time to practice both a primary and secondary escape plan, so that if a real emergency occurred, you and your family know what to do.
Marshal Flowers offers these additional tips:
- If you have a smoke alarm that was installed before November 6, 2006, replace the entire unit this weekend.
- Test smoke alarms at least once each month to ensure that they are working properly.
- Vacuum the dust from inside the alarm at least once every year.
- Never “borrow” a smoke alarm’s battery for another use.
- Change batteries twice a year or if an alarm “chirps” to signal low battery power.
Visit the State Fire Marshal’s website for more information about smoke alarms and fire safety.
About Marion Online News
