Richmond, Va. –
DLA Installation Management Richmond’s Fire and Emergency Services welcomes fall’s 2021, “Change Your Clock – Change Your Battery” Campaign as daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. As you adjust your clocks back, the installation’s Fire Prevention Office would like to encourage everyone to also change the batteries in your home detectors.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, from 2017 to 2019, an estimated average of 230,500 one- and two-family residential building fires were reported to fire departments in the United States. These fires caused an estimated average of 2,220 deaths and 7,250 injuries. In addition to the injuries and deaths, these fires totaled approximately $6 billion in property damage and loss.
So far this year, the U.S. Fire Administration reports the Greater Richmond Metro Area has recorded at least 20 home fire deaths: 10 children died, six adults under the age of 50 and four elderly.
“Surely, lives would have been saved with properly working smoke alarms”, said Jamie MacFarlane, a fire inspector for the installation.
Assistant Fire Chief Kenneth Cato agrees.
“Appropriately installed and maintained smoke alarms save lives and protect against injury and loss due to fire. You increase your chances of survival in a home fire with working smoke alarms compared to homes without working smoke alarms,” he said.
The Fire Prevention Office offers these tips to keep your family safe:
- Use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all will.
- Install smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping areas. Install alarms on every level of the home and in the basement.
- Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. You do this by pressing the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
- A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms and at least 10 feet from the stove.
- People who have difficulty hearing or are deaf can use special alarms with strobe lights and bed shakers.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they reach 10 years old.
The Fire Prevention Office also encourages everyone who has a carbon monoxide alarm to change the batteries in them as well.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that can kill you before you are even aware it is in your house. Side effects, such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, disorientation and fatigue, are often mistaken for the flu. These effects can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and length of exposure.
For more information, you may contact the Fire and Emergency Services Office at dscr.fireprevention@dla.mil or call us at 804-279-6782.