Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries
Daylight saving time officially started on Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m. While your phones and computers will automatically “spring forward” one hour earlier, you’ll still have to check your ovens, microwaves, and most importantly, your smoke detectors — at least according to safety experts. Jack Ward Fire Consultants partners with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote fire safety and prevention. 
The two times a year we change our clocks also serve as a valuable reminder to change the batteries in our fire alarms. The NFPA reports that 71% of smoke alarms which failed to operate had missing, disconnected, or dead batteries. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are some of the most important safety appliances in our home, yet so many of us neglect to ensure they are working properly.
When you go around your house this week, you’ll want to replace the batteries in each detector. Also keep an eye out for the date of manufacture stamped on the device. Smoke detectors lose their efficacy after 10 years and require replacing just like carbon monoxide alarms. Upgrade to the newer lithium battery smoke detectors and you won’t have to worry about replacing the batteries at all for up to a decade.
Monitoring your house’s safety measures is now more important than ever. The average time to escape a home fire has gone from 17 minutes to just three minutes or less in the past few decades due to the increased use of synthetics in furniture and home construction. Almost all of our fire investigators here at Jack Ward are former fire fighters or law enforcement. We have seen first-hand how important a working smoke alarm can be to prevent fire related injuries and death. We encourage all of our clients and supporters to take the couple of minutes this week to ensure your home is protected.
If you have any questions about how to replace your batteries, how to find the date of manufacture, or anything else, please feel free to contact us at 866-559-3473 or request@jackwardfire.com.