Franklin, TN - When it’s time to "fall back" and change the clocks this weekend, the Franklin Fire Department recommends using the extra hour to check your smoke alarms – it could save your life.
Franklin Fire and Life Safety Educator Jamie Melton said, “We recommend that you change your smoke alarm batteries once a year, and replace your entire smoke alarm if it’s more than 10 years old.”
To help encourage residents to do this, the Franklin Fire Department has organized the 4th Annual Smoke Alarm Discount Day tomorrow on Saturday, November 3. During the event, Franklin retailers will discount smoke alarms by 20 percent, and Franklin Firefighters will be at participating stores to help answer customers’ questions.
Participating stores are:
- Harpeth True Value – corner of Columbia Avenue and Downs Boulevard
- Home Depot – South Royal Oaks Boulevard
- Lowes – Mallory Lane
Melton said carbon monoxide alarm batteries also need to be changed annually and the alarms typically need to be replaced every five to seven years.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, having a working smoke alarm reduces a person's chance of dying in a fire by half. For the best protection, install smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside every sleeping area and in every bedroom, and interconnect them if possible. Smoke alarms should be mounted high on walls or ceilings and tested monthly.
Melton said it's important to replace smoke alarm batteries once a year, unless you have an alarm with long-life lithium batteries that last up to 10 years. She said you should also replace batteries in smoke alarms that are hardwired in case of a power outage. Hardwired alarms, like traditional alarms, also need to be entirely replaced every 10 years.
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