County Dept of Health Encourages DST Safety Check

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New City, NY – As Daylight Saving Time comes to a close on Sunday, November 5th, the Rockland County Department of Health is reminding residents to set their clocks back one hour. While adjusting timepieces, it’s also a perfect opportunity to ensure the safety of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Here are some vital safety steps to follow:

  1. Test Alarms Monthly: Utilize the test buttons on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month to verify their proper working condition.
  2. Check Expiry Dates: Confirm that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have not expired. The manufacturing date can typically be found on the back of the devices.
  3. Replace Old Alarms: Smoke alarms should be replaced when they reach ten years of age or if they do not respond during testing. For carbon monoxide alarms, always adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions and take note of the expiration date.

Ensuring the functionality of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms is essential to safety, as these devices play a crucial role in detecting and alerting residents to potential fire or carbon monoxide hazards.

For more comprehensive information and guidelines, visit the National Fire Protection Association’s webpages dedicated to smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

Chris Kear, Director of Fire & Emergency Services, emphasized the significance of maintaining these safety measures. “Take the time to check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Installing and maintaining smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in homes can save lives! Smoke alarms should be in each bedroom and common areas of homes on all levels, and there should be at least one carbon monoxide alarm on each level of homes,” Kear stated.

The Rockland County Department of Health offers assistance through its Healthy Neighborhoods Program for low-income residents, seniors, and at-risk families. They can help with replacing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms or changing batteries at no charge, while supplies last.

By performing these simple safety checks during the end of Daylight Saving Time, residents are taking a proactive step in ensuring the well-being of their household.