Page 4 - Hawaii Renovation - July 4, 2021

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4 HAWAII RENOVATION JULY 4, 2021
Be sure to check your alarms
>>FROM PAGE 2
smoke or carbon monoxide
alarm, chances are, it’s time to replace your old ones,” says Tarsila Wey, director of marketing for First Alert. “It’s important to make sure alarm maintenance and re- placement become a regular, ongoing part of your family’s routine.”
First Alert offers the follow- ing tips to ensure your family and home are best protected in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide incident.
EVERY LEVEL, EVERY BEDROOM
It’s critical to have enough smoke and carbon monox- ide alarms and ensure they are working properly. The NFPA recommends that smoke alarms be installed on every level of the home,
including the basement, and in every bedroom. Carbon monoxide alarms should also be installed on every level and near each sleep- ing area. To put this in per- spective, the average-sized home in America — a two- story, three-bedroom house — needs a minimum of five smoke alarms and four car- bon monoxide alarms.
“Every home’s layout and dimensions are different, so consider your specific needs when selecting products to make your home more fire safe,” adds Wey.
TEST AND MAINTAIN
Many people assume that because they have alarms in their homes, they’re automat- ically protected in the event of a fire or carbon monox- ide incident. In reality, both smoke and carbon monoxide
alarms need to be maintained and tested regularly to ensure that they’re working properly. Nonetheless, research shows that more than 60% of con- sumers do not test their de- vices on a monthly basis. Test- ing the alarm is simple — hold down the test button and wait for the alarm to sound. It’s also important to clean the alarm to remove any dust or debris that could interfere with prop- er function.
ALARMS DON’T LAST FOREVER
If you don’t know how old an alarm is, the safest bet is to replace it. Check the date printed on the back of the device. If the alarm is more than 10 years old, it is time to replace it. It is necessary to replace all smoke alarms every 10 years and carbon monoxide alarms every five
to 10 years, depending on the model. Batteries also don’t last forever and should be replaced every six months, unless the alarm features a 10-year sealed battery. As an extra safety measure, most alarms feature an end-of-life warning to alert residents when it is time for replace- ment.
DOUBLE UP ON SAFETY
Doubling up on safety and installing 2-in-1 protection, such as the First Alert 10-Year Battery Combination Smoke and CO Alarm, is a convenient way to ensure ultimate home safety by providing a decade of protection against both smoke and carbon monox- ide. Not only does the device warn you in case of smoke or carbon monoxide dangers, but it also features a 10-year sealed battery, which elimi- nates the needs for battery replacements and late-night battery chirps for a decade.
ESTABLISH AN ESCAPE PLAN
According to the NFPA, you may have less than two minutes to escape after your smoke alarms sound. Therefore, it is imperative to have an escape plan that everyone in the household follows to evacuate safely. When designing an escape plan, identify two ways out of each room, assign a meet- ing spot outside, and dedi- cate someone in the family to assist with pets, elderly fam- ily members or infants. Make sure to practice your escape plan with the entire family at least twice a year to help prepare you and your family for the unexpected.
To learn more about how to keep your family and home safe, and for more safety tips, visit firstalert.com.
This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.
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