(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - Sunday, November 4th at 2:00 a.m. marks the official end of Daylight Savings time as clocks are pushed back one hour. Alaska State Fire Marshal Kelly Nicolello reminds Alaskans to check their smoke alarms when they change their clock from Daylight Savings Time this Sunday.For the last two years 55% of fatal fires had no working smoke alarms in the structure. In another 25% it could not be determined if smoke alarms were present and operating.

Many homes have smoke alarms with 9-volt batteries that should be replaced at least once annually. Daylight Savings Time serves as a reminder to check smoke alarms and change 9-volt batteries. With the development of long-life lithium battery powered smoke alarms, the batteries have a life span of up to 10 years, so you may not need to replace this type of battery as often. “The key is to take a few minutes to check, test and clean your smoke alarm to make sure it is functioning properly, and what better time to do this than when you change your clock from Daylight Savings Time”, Nicolello said.

Alaskans can go to The Alaska Division of Fire and Life Safety’s web site at www.akburny.com and click on a “smoke alarm reminder” link. On this site they can sign up for a free monthly e-mail reminder to check their smoke alarms.

It is important to remember that manufacturer’s guidelines for smoke alarm installation, testing, cleaning, and replacing batteries should be followed. However, general recommendations are as follows:

• Install smoke alarms in every room except kitchen and bathrooms.
• Smoke alarms lose sensitivity over time and should be replaced every ten years.
• At least once a month, press the test button to check your alarm.
• Periodically clean smoke alarms using a vacuum attachment.
• When a “chirping” sound is noted, this is a sign that the batteries are weak and should be replaced.

Alaska State Fire Marshal Kelly Nicolello adds, “Safe behavior can keep a fire from starting. Working smoke alarms, planning and practicing your fire escape plan and adding residential fire suppression sprinklers can ensure your family’s safety in case of a devastating home fire”.

On the Web:

Keeping Time in Alaska - Time zones and daylight savings time have an interesting history in Alaska, a state that straddles so many degrees of longitude and has more than its share of summer daylight and winter darkness. Frank Norris's article on keeping time in Alaska in the 2001 issue of Alaska History tells that story... More...
Alaska Historical Society - www.alaskahistoricalsociety.org

Source of News: 

Alaska Department of Public Safety
www.dps.state.ak.us

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