WHENEVER YOU CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS CHANGE THE BATTERIES IN YOUR SMOKE DETECTOR

Smoke Detectors Smoke detectors are life-saving devices which should be installed in every home! The following are some frequently asked questions about smoke detectors:

1. How many smoke detectors do I need in my home? A minimum of one (1) detector is needed on every level and one (1) within 10 feet of each bedroom. New construction requires one inside each sleeping area.

2. Where do I install smoke detectors in my home? Smoke detectors should be mounted on a wall or on the ceiling. Wall mounted units should be hung 4-12″ (10-30 cm) from the ceiling. A ceiling-mounted detector should be attached at least 4′ (10cm) from the nearest wall. In a room with a pitched ceiling, mount the detector on or near the ceiling’s highest point.

3. My smoke detector keeps going off and there’s no smoke or fire. What’s wrong? Cooking vapors and steam sometimes set off a smoke detector. Try moving the detector farther from the kitchen or bathroom. Replace the battery if the detector is chirping.

4. Does my smoke detector require any care or maintenance?

• Never disable your smoke detector by “borrowing” batteries for other use.
• Install new batteries at least once a year – “Change your clocks – change your batteries.”
• Clean your detectors using a vacuum cleaner, without removing the detector’s cover
• Never paint a smoke detector.
• Replace any smoke detector that is more than 10 years old.  

 CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS What is carbon monoxide? Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, toxic gas produced as a by-product of combustion from items such as fuel burning appliances (i.e. non-electric furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves, dryers, or water heaters, charcoal grills), automobiles, and gasoline powered tools (i.e. lawnmowers, snow blowers).  Carbon monoxide poisonings typically occur when appliances are improperly used or malfunctioning and there is a limited amount of fresh airflow to ventilate the gas build up. Regular maintenance and inspections of gas burning equipment in the home can minimize the potential for life threatening CO buildup or exposure to occur; however the potential always exists. What does a carbon monoxide detector do? Carbon monoxide detectors help monitor for the presence of carbon monoxide and alert when levels indicate a prolonged exposure to the gas. There are two types available: home current (electrical hardwired, or plugged into an outlet) and battery operated. Regardless of the type of detector purchased, all detectors should conform to UL Standard 2034, and consumers should read the associated literature to determine which type they prefer to use. Where should CO detectors be installed? It is recommended that CO detectors be placed on each floor of a residence, with one (1) detector on each sleeping floor and additional detectors in areas of any major gas burning appliance, such as a water heater or furnace. Installation in these areas ensures rapid detection of any potentially malfunctioning appliances and the ability to hear the alarm activation from all sleeping areas. CO detectors should be mounted high (near the ceiling) for maximum effectiveness; however, they should NOT be placed within five (5) feet of gas fueled appliances or near cooking or bathing areas. Be sure to consult manufacturer’s instructions for proper placement of a detector within a given area. What are the causes of a CO detector alarm activation? There are many conditions that can cause a carbon monoxide detector to alarm. Most are preventable and few are actually life threatening. Common causes of preventable activations include: inadequate fresh air venting of the home, running gas powered equipment in the home or garage, charcoal grilling in the home or garage (including your automobile,) malfunctioning appliances or equipment in the home, a generator or kerosene heater running in a home, or a malfunctioning or overly sensitive alarm. Non-preventable or unpredicted causes may include, but not be limited to: cracked furnace heat exchanger, malfunctioning furnace, water heater, or other gas appliance, blocked chimney, vehicle left running in a garage, or a gas powered device placed near a fresh air vent to the home.

When a CO detector alarm activates… 1. Stay calm! 2. Assess health and wellbeing of anyone in the household. Flu-like symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue or nausea are the most common early symptoms to CO exposure.  > If there is illness, evacuate the premises immediately, go to a safe place, and have someone call 911. Be sure everyone (including pets) is out of the house and the doors are closed. (Closing the doors allows fire department personnel to monitor for the presence or levels of CO before ventilating.) > If no illness is present, likelihood of a serious exposure is diminished.  3. If no illness is present, it is still important to have the source of the alarm activation investigated. You should dial 911 or contact Niagara Mohawk and advised them that your alarm has activated, but no one is ill. Do not open any windows or doors so that when monitoring personnel arrive, they will be able to quickly check your house, verify if there is a problem and locate the source. Very often the failure of an appliance is a gradual event. This failure may produce low levels of carbon monoxide. If gone unchecked, the failure may become worse and reach life-threatening levels.

Calling 911 …  If you call 911 for a carbon monoxide alarm activation, be prepared to provide the following information: – Your name – Your address – Your telephone number – Whether or not anyone is ill with the “flu-like” symptoms previously described  – Whether or not the residence has been vacated … and be sure to follow any emergency instructions you may be given by the emergency dispatcher.

Based on the information you provide, appropriate emergency response personnel will be dispatched to your location; fire department personnel to monitor for CO gas and advise if a carbon monoxide problem exists, emergency medical personnel to treat any victims, and law enforcement personnel to assist with evacuation if needed.

HOUSE NUMBERINGCAN YOU SEE YOUR HOUSE NUMBER FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET? 

As of January 1, 2003 the State of New York adopted the International Building and Fire Codes. There are several sections in these codes that address the requirement for identifying both commercial and residential properties with street numbers.

These code requirements provide that responding emergency equipment can quickly find a location and provide the needed assistance.

The codes require ALL new and existing commercial properties have a street number affixed to the street side of the building or signage in front of the building.

It also requires ALL new and existing residential homes have a street number affixed to the street side of the house. In the case were the house may sit off of the roadway and is not visible, the street number can be attached to a post or mailbox at roads edge.

For all buildings, the code requires that the numbers shall be a minimum of 4″ in height and the stroke width be a minimum of ½”, but the bigger the number, the better. The numbers shall either be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. All numbers shall of contrasting colors from the surface on which they are mounted. The numbers must be visible from the street and not blocked by shrubs, plantings, trees, decorations, snow, etc. If at all possible, the numbers should be placed near a light source for night illumination.