The officers and members of the Hampstead Volunteer Fire Company want to remind everyone that this weekend begins Daylight Saving Time. With the time change, it is also time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Roughly 2 out of 3 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or the alarms are not working… DON’T be a statistic!!!

SAFETY TIPS:
• Install smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires.
• Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use both types of alarms in the home.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old. Abide by Maryland’s updated Smoke Alarm law effective July 1, 2013. The new Maryland Smoke Alarm Law is part of the Public Safety Article, Sections 9-101 through 9-109.

"SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES: CHANGE THE BATTERY & TEST YOURS MONTHLY"

Some material reproduced from NFPA's Fire Prevention Week website, www.firepreventionweek.org. ©2014 NFPA.