Scott Allen, Chief of Police
153 Central St.
East Bridgewater, MA 02333
East Bridgewater Fire Department
Timothy Harhen, Fire Chief
268 Bedford St.
East Bridgewater, MA 02333
For Immediate Release
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
East Bridgewater Police and Fire Departments Remind Residents to Check Fire and CO Alarms During Daylight Saving
EAST BRIDGEWATER – As everyone prepares to turn their clocks ahead this weekend, Police Chief Scott Allen and Fire Chief Timothy Harhen are urging residents and business owners to test their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Daylight saving begins Sunday, March 12 at 2 a.m.
“Daylight saving is a great reminder for residents and business owners to test their carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and make sure they are functioning correctly,” Chief Allen said. “We would hate to see anyone fall victim to such an avoidable tragedy simply because they didn’t have working alarms.”
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that 46 percent of smoke alarms that failed to operate had missing, disconnected or dead batteries. The East Bridgewater Fire Department asks that all business owners not only change the batteries in their clocks, smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, but also replace the batteries on wall mounted emergency lights and exit signs. All businesses have emergency backup lighting as a safety feature to provide temporary lighting in case of power failure.
“Residents who don’t have properly functioning smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are putting themselves at risk in their own homes,” Chief Harhen said. “It is vital that everyone ensures these life-saving devices are working, and our department is happy to assist anyone who needs help installing or checking their alarms.”
In order to keep your home safe and prevent fires, East Bridgewater Police and Fire recommend that residents follow safety tips outlined by NFPA:
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month using the test button.
- Replace alarms immediately if they don’t respond properly when tested.
- Replace batteries in smoke and CO alarms when you change your clocks.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they reach 10 years old. Replace CO detectors according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area, on every level of the home, and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards.
- For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
- If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay in that spot until emergency personnel arrive.
For more information on smoke detector and CO alarm safety, visit the NFPA website or contact the East Bridgewater Fire Department at 508-378-2271.
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