Set Back Clocks, Test Life Safety Devices Sunday, November 3

November 1, 2024 - As the time change approaches on Sunday, November 3, the Midland Fire Department wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives: Testing their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

The Midland Fire Department recommends replacing your smoke detectors every 10 years. Beginning in 2002, all smoke alarms must have a manufacture date marked on the outside of the smoke alarm. If your smoke alarm does not have a manufacture date, then it is more than 10 years old and must be replaced. When replacing your smoke alarms the Fire Department suggests replacing regular battery-powered units with 10-year sealed battery units. To date, there have been 96 fatal fires in Michigan; in 53% of those fires, no working smoke detectors were found in the home.

MFD has joined the MI Prevention statewide fire safety campaign through the State Fire Marshal, the Bureau of Fire Services and Michigan's fire safety organizations to reduce the high number of fire deaths, injuries and property loss in Michigan by providing and installing smoke alarms in residents' homes without working alarms and educating the occupants on fire safety practices. To take advantage of this free program, contact Fire Station One at 989-837-3410. Learn more about this program at www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/bfs/miprevention.

In addition to testing fire safety devices, MFD recommends that residents do the following:

• Use the extra hour on November 5 to plan and practice escape routes;
• Use both ionization and photo electric smoke alarms to alert people to home fires; and
• Prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.

For more on fire safety, call the Midland Fire Department at 989-837-3410 or email Fire Marshal John Jurek at [email protected].