Alerts

Safety Alert!

Daylight Saving Time (United States) 2014 began at 2:00 AM on

Sunday, March 9

and ends at 2:00 AM on

Sunday, November 2

Remember that when you turn your clocks ahead (now) and back (in the fall) to replace all the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors. You should also take the time to check the manufacturing date on the detector to make sure you do not need to replace it. Smoke alarm units should be replaced every 8-10 years and CO detectors should be replaced every 5-7 years.

With multiple smoke and CO detectors (in your bedrooms, hallways, basement, kitchen, living room, and garage) it heightens your chance for survival during a CO and fire emergency. Do not silence a fire or CO alarm if it starts to alert, leave your home and call the fire department from a safe location and please do not stay in your home to collect valuables that can be replaced. If a fire starts in the kitchen and you are in the bedroom, without a detector in the kitchen you will not find out until it is too late and you will get trapped in the bedroom without a way out (same could be said for a fire starting the the bedroom). Another issue is many people do not have fire extinguishers in their home because they believe a fire could not happen to them. Even though it is better to just get out and let the job be done by the local fire department you may need an extinguisher to aid you in an escape. Extinguishers can be anywhere from $15-$80 each but it could be the difference between life and death.

Overview:

Smoke alarms

  • Replace the unit/system every 8-10 years.
  • Replace batteries every time you change the clocks.
  • Clear dust from around the detector.
  • Test every month.

CO detectors

  • Replace the unit/system every 5-7 years.
  • Replace batteries every time you change the clocks.
  • Clear dust from the intake.
  • Test every month.

Fire extinguishers

Replace or service an extinguisher right away if it’s been used or if you notice any of the following:

  • The hose or nozzle is cracked, ripped, or blocked with debris.
  • The locking pin on the handle is missing or unsealed.
  • The handle is wobbly or broken.
  • The inspection sticker or hang tag, with a record of checkups and maintenance, is missing.

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Division of Fire Safety Office of the State Fire Marshal, Safety Alert 14-1

Potential of Carbonated Beverage Systems to Create a Life Threatening Atmosphere- Issued January, 2014

Symptoms of Carbon Dioxide ( CO2 ) intoxication and poisoning include:

  • Deeper breathing
  • Twitching of muscles
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Headache
  • Increased pulse rate
  • Loss of judgment
  • Labored breathing
  • Unconsciousness (occurs in under a minute when Co2 concentration rises about 10%)

For more about this alert click on the PDF labeled "Safety Alert 2-25-14" at the bottom of this page or Click Here.