Test Your Smoke Alarms
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During Daylight Savings Time residents are asked to "Change Your Clocks, Change Your Battery" as a reminder to replace Smoke Alarm batteries twice a year. But on August 15, 2010 all residential buildings within the City of Madison must have smoke alarms with a 10-year lithium battery and tamper resistant battery compartment, or if your home is hard-wired and the alarm is over 10-years old, it must be replaced with a new hard-wired alarm with a battery backup. The Smoke alarms shall be installed in the following areas: - In each bedroom or sleeping area - Within six feet of each door leading to a bedroom or sleeping area of each unit - On each floor of the building, including the basement Test your smoke alarms often. Certain manufacturers recommend testing the alarms on a weekly basis, others monthly. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), "Working smoke alarms detect and alert people to fire in its early stages, providing the warning needed to escape safely and cut the risk of dying in reported home fires nearly in half." Residents who have questions or concerns about smoke alarms or smoke alarm installation, can contact the City of Madison Fire Department Community Education Unit at 608-266-4709, or visit http://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/prevention/safety/smokeAlarms for more information.
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