Village of Westmont
Date Issued: Oct. 16, 2015
As the fall time change approaches, the Westmont Fire Department wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives – please change the batteries in your smoke detectors. Daylight savings time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2015. Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show that three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke detectors or smoke detectors that failed to operate.
The most common cause of non-working smoke alarms is dead or missing batteries. Make sure your children know and understand fire safety. Children are at double the risk of dying in a home fire because they often become scared and confused during fires. The Westmont Fire Department encourages residents to show their children where smoke detectors are located and make sure they recognize the sound and understand that a sounding smoke alarm signals a home fire.
Changing smoke alarm batteries twice a year is the simplest and most effective way to reduce tragic fire deaths and injuries. Even if the battery is not dead, replace it with a new battery. Working smoke detectors provide early warning; saving lives, preventing injury and reducing property damage. Smoke detectors should be replaced at least every 10 years or according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
It is also a good time to be sure a smoke alarm is installed on each level of your home. You can test and vacuum your smoke alarms once a month to ensure proper sensitivity. Check flashlight batteries as well and place them in accessible areas of your home. Finally, install fire extinguishers and know how to use them.
FREE SMOKE DETECTORS FOR WESTMONT RESIDENTS
The Westmont Fire Department and Bales Ace Hardware have teamed up to provide free smoke detectors for Westmont residents who currently do not have smoke detectors in their homes. There will be a total of 50 smoke detectors given away in the program on a first-come, first-serve basis. Smoke detectors are for residential use only, with one detector being given out per 1,000 square feet of a residence.
Please contact the Westmont Fire Department at 630-981-6400 for additional information.
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Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont Communications Director
630-417-0280, lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov
