NEW CITY, NY, – Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert remind residents to set their clocks back one hour as Daylight Savings time ends at 2:00 am on Sunday, November 6th. Along with changing your clocks, this is also a good time to check your smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm.
Make sure that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are in good working order and that they are not expired. If needed, change the batteries in these alarms when you change your clocks. Replace all smoke alarms when they are ten years old or if they don’t respond when tested. All new smoke alarms should be replaced with the new 10-year sealed smoke alarm that never needs a battery replacement. To find out how old a smoke alarm is, look at the date of manufacture located on the back of the alarm; the alarm should be replaced ten years from that date. For carbon monoxide alarms, always check the manufacturer’s instructions and expiration date.
“Installing and maintaining smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms in your home saves lives. Take a moment to test your alarms and replace batteries when you change your clocks this weekend,” said Dr. Ruppert.
Heating and cooking devices that burn fuel can be sources of carbon monoxide and could start fires in the home. Make and practice a fire escape plan to ensure that everyone in the household knows at least two ways out of every room and to identify a meeting place outside.
“Smoke detectors should be tested at least twice a year. Test them this weekend as we change our clocks back for daylight savings time. Smoke detectors should be in each bedroom and common areas of your home on all levels, and there should be at least one carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home,” said Chris Kear, Director of Fire & Emergency Services.
The Health Department’s Healthy Neighborhoods Program can assist low to moderate-income residents and seniors at no charge, with battery changes and alarm replacements, as supplies last. For more information, call (845) 364 – 3290 or (845) 364 – 3292 or visit http://bit.ly/HealthyNeighborhoodsProgram.
For fact sheets, checklists, games, and other educational materials for adults and children. Visit https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/children.html.