Bill O Boyle
The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
(MCT)
WILKES-BARRE — Acting Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook Friday said discharged or missing batteries are the most common cause of a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector malfunction.
When functioning, Cook said smoke alarms can decrease the risk of dying in a home fire by as much as half.
“From the moment an alarm sounds, occupants may have as few as two minutes to safely exit the building,” Cook said.
Daylight saving time begins this Sunday, March 13, everyone is reminded to turn your clocks forward one hour and test your smoke alarms.
Cook is reminding Pennsylvanians to change the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors while changing their clocks for this weekend’s “spring forward” time change.
“Unfortunately, Pennsylvania has gotten off to a bad start of the year concerning fatal fires — we’ve seen far too many,” Cook said. “When your family’s safety is threatened by a fire, you need the early warning provided by a smoke alarm, so you can safely egress the home before it’s too late. Test your smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries regularly. Our state routinely ranks among the nation’s highest, in terms of fatal house fires, and they disproportionately affect older adults.”
Often called “the silent killer,” carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that can incapacitate victims before they are aware of exposure. Sources can include wood-burning fireplaces and stoves, gas fireplaces, appliances, grills, generators, and motor vehicles.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for the flu and include nausea, headaches, dizziness, disorientation and fatigue.
Newer models of smoke alarms marketed as having long-lasting batteries may not need to have their batteries replaced, but thousands of homeowners still use models that use standard batteries that must be replaced regularly. No matter what type of smoke alarms are used in a home, all units should be tested monthly — including devices that are hard-wired to a home’s electrical system.
“Less well known, is the importance of discussing safety planning with your family; both immediate, and extended,” Cook added. “Knowing two ways to escape each room if necessary, having a designated meeting place, and physically practicing the plan can make difference during a house fire. This is especially important with aged relatives who may have mobility issues.”
AAA cautions drivers to stay
alert as they ‘spring forward’
Springing forward can mean falling back into a bad driving habit — drowsy driving.
The arrival of Daylight Saving Time this weekend means one less hour of sleep, a darker morning commute and the potential for more sleepy drivers on the road. AAA is reminding drivers to adjust their sleeping habits along with their clocks, to stay alert behind the wheel and to look out for pedestrians, especially children who will be on their way to school and may be hard to see.
“When the time changes, sleep cycles are interrupted and drivers can be more tired than they realize,” said Jana Tidwell, AAA Mid-Atlantic Spokesperson. “Losing one hour of sleep takes an adjustment and drivers need to prepare by getting more rest, especially on Sunday.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 35% of U.S. drivers sleep less than the recommended minimum of seven hours daily. Previous AAA research indicates that nearly all drivers (96%) say they view drowsy driving as a serious threat to their safety and a completely unacceptable behavior. However, 29% admitted to driving when they were so tired they had a hard time keeping their eyes open at some point in the previous month before the survey.
“Knowing the warning signs of drowsiness can help drivers avoid dozing off behind the wheel.” said Tidwell. “Symptoms include having trouble keeping your eyes open, drifting from your lane and not remembering the last few miles driven.”
Red Cross offers tips
Teach children what a smoke alarm sounds like. Talk about fire safety and what to do in an emergency.
“As many as seven people die in this country every day from a home fire, but smoke alarms cut your risk in half,” said Sherry Nealon, Executive Director of the Red Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter. “Protect your household this weekend. Turn your clocks forward and test your smoke alarms.”
The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters every year and most of them are home fires. To help prevent fire-related deaths and injuries, the Red Cross launched the Home Fire Campaign with community partners in 2014 to reduce fire-related deaths and injuries.
So far, the Home Fire Campaign has reached more than 2.5 million people and is credited with saving more than 1,200 lives across the country. Visitredcross.org/HomeFireStoriesto learn more.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
