This weekend’s time change is a good opportunity for Michigan families to upgrade their smoke detectors, says State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer.
“Traditionally, the time change is an ideal time to replace batteries in smoke detectors,” said Sehlmeyer. “That’s still good advice but, if you can afford it, I would encourage you to better protect your family by upgrading to lithium battery smoke detectors with 10-year lifespans.”
In 2023, Michigan has experienced 95 fire fatalities and 73% of those fatalities occurred in cases where there weren’t working smoke detectors.
“Working smoke detectors are the most effective to stay safe in the event of a fire,” said Sehlmeyer. “The difference between life and death in a fire often can be a matter of seconds. Smoke alarms will alert your family to a fire so that your family can exit the home as quickly as possible.”
Experiments conducted in structures across the United States by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the International Society of Fire Service Instructors (ISFSI), revealed that occupants have less than two minutes.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), approximately three out of five home fire deaths were caused by fires in properties with no smoke alarms (41 percent) or smoke alarms that failed to operate (16 percent).
The State Fire Marshal’s Office along with the NFPA recommend the following:
Test smoke alarms and CO detectors monthly using the test button.
Replace 9-volt battery smoke alarms with 10-year lithium sealed battery smoke alarm.
Make sure you have a smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside of sleeping areas, and have one smoke alarm on every level of your home, including the basement.
Have working CO detectors outside sleeping areas and on every level of your home.
Every ten (10) years replace all your smoke alarms and CO detectors, or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested.
Sehlmeyer also emphasized the importance of having working smoke alarms, and a home fire escape plan. He stressed that every family should know “Two Ways Out” and practice their home escape plan twice every year.
For information on smoke alarms and safety tips, visit the MI Prevention’s website at www.miprevention.org
