Time to check your smoke detectors

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - It's almost that time again; on November 1, it's time to set your clocks back one hour. While you're at it, the Newport News Fire Department (NNFD) wants to remind residents it's also a good time to check their smoke detector batteries and be sure their operational.

According to the NNFD, working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire nearly in half by providing early warning to escape.

The United States Fire Administration says an estimated 890 lives could be saved each year if all homes had working smoke alarms.

The NNFD suggests doing the following to keep your family safe from fire:

Count your smoke alarms: There should be at LEAST one smoke alarm installed on every level of
your home and outside of sleeping areas.

Replace: Replace any smoke alarms that have reached their life expectancy of approximately 8-
10 years.

Maintain: Test your alarms and replace batteries if needed. In standard type battery powered
smoke alarms, the batteries need to be replaced at least once a year. Smoke alarms powered by
long-lasting batteries are designed for the life of the alarm. See the manufacturer’s instructions on your alarms to make sure you are maintaining and using them properly.

Prepare & Practice: Develop a home escape plan and practice regular fire drills with your family. Children need to be taught what a smoke alarm sounds like and what they should do when they hear the alarm.

If you live in the City of Newport News you can call the Newport News Fire Department’s Smoke Alarm Hotline at 926-8009 if they need a smoke alarm.

For more information about smoke alarms and other fire safety topics, visit the Newport News Fire Department’s Website at www.nngov.com/fire or you can visit the United States Fire Administration’s Website at www.usfa.dhs.gov .