Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver

March 10, 2016 - Division of Fire Safety Reminds Residents to “Change Your Clock - Change Your Batteries” Upon the Return to Daylight Saving Time Sunday, March 13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 10, 2016

 

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Trenton, NJ – The Department of Community Affairs' (DCA) Division of Fire Safety is reminding residents that the return to Daylight Saving Time on Sunday March 13, 2016, is the best time to test and, if needed, to replace smoke and CO alarm batteries.

If a smoke or CO alarm is more than ten years old, it should be replaced.

Proper smoke alarm maintenance is crucial to making sure the devices provide proper warning in the event of a fire in the residence.

National Fire Protection Association provides the following statistics:

• Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms.
• More than one-third (37 percent) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present.
• The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.

The presence of working smoke alarms on every level of the home is the best insurance for receiving ample warning to evacuate the home in the case of a fire.

The Division of Fire Safety serves as the central fire service agency in the State. The Division is responsible for the development and enforcement of the State Uniform Fire Code, as well as educating the public on community risk reduction strategies, assisting in fire department preparedness and conducting firefighter training programs.