NEW ROCHELLE, NY — October is Fire Prevention Month, and October 9th – 15th is National Fire Prevention week. This year’s theme – “Don’t Wait – Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years” – represents the final year of National Fire Protection Association’s three-year effort to educate the public about basic but essential elements of smoke alarm safety.
“Smoke detectors have expiration dates, and it is crucial to replace them within the time frame indicated by the manufacture”, said New Rochelle’s Fire Chief Louis DiMeglio.
A recent survey conducted by NFPA showed that only a small percentage of people know how old their smoke alarms are or how often they need to be replaced. That lack of awareness is a concern for New Rochelle Fire Department and NFPA, along with fire departments throughout the country, because smoke alarms don’t last forever.
To find out how old your smoke alarm is and its expiration date, simply look on the back of the alarm where the date of manufacture is marked. The smoke alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date (not the date of purchase).
The New Rochelle Fire Department also encourages everyone to test their smoke alarm monthly, and replace batteries when you change your clocks twice a year, or when they begin to chirp, signaling that they’re running low.
For more information on smoke alarms and this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Don’t Wait: Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years”, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.
PHOTO AND VIDEO OPPORTUNITY: The New Rochelle Fire Department will hold their annual awards ceremony, on Wednesday, October 19 at 10am in City Hall Council Chambers.