Safety is great unless you’re late

Change your clock, change your smoke alarm batteries

McKinney, Texas – As the hands on our clocks fall back Nov. 5, the McKinney Fire Department (MFD) wants you to think about an important way to move fire safety forward as a priority in your home. The time changes twice a year, and it’s an excellent time to remember to check your smoke alarms and replace the batteries.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a home fire.

To protect your home, follow these smoke alarm safety tips:

· Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home, including in the basement.

· If the alarm chirps with a 10-year sealed lithium battery, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.

· For smoke alarms without the long-life lithium batteries, be sure to replace batteries at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, replace only the battery. Date each unit when they are installed and replace them after ten years – or sooner if they do not successfully pass the test by sounding the alarm when the test button is pressed.

In addition to changing smoke alarm batteries, it is also a good idea to practice a family escape plan:

· Plan and practice two escape routes out of every room in your house.

· Designate an outside meeting place.

· In case of fire, call 9-1-1 once you are safely outside your home.

· Once outside, stay outside and don’t return for anything – not even a pet.

By taking these simple steps, your chances of surviving a fire improve greatly. For more information, visit www.McKinneyFire.org or call 972-547-2893.