Cleveland Division of Fire Warns: “Check Your Alarms!”

Residents reminded to check smoke alarms, change batteries or replace alarms.
 
Friday, March 10, 2023 – Cleveland – Cleveland Firefighters will sound their station alarms at 6:05 p.m. Saturday, March 11th reminding residents to check their smoke alarms this weekend as they adjust clocks for daylight savings time. If the smoke alarm does not alert, or makes a chirping sound, change the battery. Batteries should be replaced once a year. There will be a limited number of batteries at Cleveland Fire Stations. If the alarm is over 10 years older, the smoke alarm should be replaced.
 
“Only WORKING smoke alarms save lives,” said Cleveland Fire Chief Anthony P. Luke “As you change your clocks this weekend, I encourage everyone to also change the batteries in your smoke alarms. It might just save the lives of your loved ones.”
 
The “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” campaign is a national home fire safety program sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and endorsed locally by the Cleveland Division of Fire and the American Red Cross. While newer smoke alarms feature 10-year non-replaceable batteries, it is important to check that they are working.
 
Smoke alarms reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities related to residential fires by providing an early warning signal and allowing critical extra seconds to escape, according to the NFPA. Modern home furnishings burn quicker, meaning you may have as little as two minutes to safely get out. Although smoke alarms are in a large percentage of Cleveland homes, nearly one-third do not work because of worn or missing batteries.
 
In addition to urging residents to check smoke alarms, the Cleveland Division of Fire’s Public Education Office recommends every resident take a few minutes to review fire-safety measures such as establishing an emergency escape route, identifying two ways out of each room, ensuring all doors and windows open easily, and designating a safe meeting place once outside of the home.
 
Residents may call 216-361-5535 to request smoke alarms if they do not already have them on every floor of the house, including the basement, and every room where people sleep.