Spring Ahead: Fire Safety Reminders

The Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center is giving away free smoke detectors today to remind Long Islanders to change their smoke detector batteries as daylight saving time begins. 

The giveaway is in conjunction with WABC-TV’s Operation 7 Save-a-Life Campaign. The smoke detectors, donated by Kidde, will be given away Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The limit is one per family with paid admission to the museum.

“Using Daylight Saving Time is a great way to remind ourselves to change our detector batteries,” said John Murray, chief instructor at the Nassau County Firefighters Museum. “Sadly, we’ve seen cases of Long Islanders who have died from not having a working smoke detector and CO poisoning over the years. A CO detector and smoke alarm are basic safety devices that cost very little, but can make a huge difference when it comes to saving lives.” 

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, every year, approximately 2,600 Americans die in home fires. More than half of these deaths (52 percent) occur between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., when residents are typically sleeping. The risk of dying from a fire in a home without working smoke alarms is twice as high as in a home with working smoke alarms. 

The Nassau County Firefighters Museum & Education Center recommends the following safety tips: 

• Install a smoke alarm and CO detector near sleeping areas, as well on every level of the home including the basement.
• Read a detector's packaging and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
• Replace batteries in smoke alarms and CO detectors at least once a year.
• Replace smoke alarms and CO detectors when they are 10 years old or sooner, if they are not functioning properly.
• To avoid potential CO exposure, during and after a snowstorm, make sure all vents connected to stoves, furnaces, and fireplaces leading outside are clear.
• Also, never warm a vehicle in an enclosed garage space.