Safety Tip: Change a battery, save a life

In 2015 and 2016, Falcon firefighters responded to 37 smoke alarms and 46 carbon monoxide alarms that sounded because of low batteries and/or outdated alarms. Almost 20 percent of those incidents occurred between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. The alarms may have jolted their owners awake in the wee hours, but more importantly they were signaling a problem. Alarms that donít work properly canít alert people to a fire or dangerous CO levels in their homes.Fire departments reiterate safety messages about changing batteries and replacing old alarms, and for good reason. Smoke alarms and CO alarms are proven life-saving devices, but only if they are properly maintained.Donít wait for a smoke alarm or a CO alarm to sound its low battery alarm in the middle of the night. Make time today to check the batteries in all smoke and CO alarms in the home. Replace smoke alarms older than 10 years and CO alarms older than seven years; or, as recommended by the manufacturer. Share this message with family and friends. It could save someoneís life.