It’s time to test your Smoke Alarm, CO Detector and Fire Extinguisher before the Holiday Season Arrives

With cold weather arriving and furnaces and fireplaces cranking up, this is a good time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to make sure they’re functioning properly. To test their function, simply press and hold the “test” button on the smoke or CO detector to make sure the alarm goes off. Replace the batteries if the alarm doesn’t work, or if the batteries are more than a year old, then test again.

After you’ve tested and replaced your batteries, if needed, make sure to write the date the battery was replaced on the battery or on a piece of tape stuck to the back of the alarm. It’s also a good idea to blow out smoke and CO alarms with canned air periodically to remove dust. Finally, be sure to replace any alarms that have been in place for over over than 10 years.

As for Home Fire Extinguishers, Americans are getting ready to put their ovens and stovetops to the test this month. Here’s a sobering thought for your holiday prep: Did you know that more cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year? Make sure you’re ready for whatever comes your way by adding a fire extinguisher to the kitchen, and letting the cooks know where it’s kept. Also check the pressure of existing fire extinguishers, and replace any old or damaged units.

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