Time to Change the Clocks
Daylight Saving Time begins every year on the second Sunday in March, which is tonight at 2 a.m. We "lose" an hour when the clocks are set forward (except in Hawaii and most of Arizona). This is a good time to review your safety checklist with the family.
Smoke Alarms
Three out of every five home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Test your smoke alarms every month and replace the battery at least once a year. If the alarm makes a "chirping" sound, replace the battery immediately.
Smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and in the common areas on each floor of a home. Mount them at least 10 feet from the stove to reduce false alarms, less than 12 inches from the ceiling and away from windows, doors and ducts.
Smoke alarms can be interconnected wirelessly. That means, when one sounds, they all sound. A Consumer Product Safety Commission survey found this is the best way to notify everyone in a home if there is a fire. Be sure to purchase smoke alarms with the label of a reputable testing agency, like Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Anything that burns fuel can potentially become a source of carbon monoxide, an invisible, odorless gas that can kill. CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each bedroom and on every level of the home. The safety tips for CO detectors mirror those of smoke alarms: change the batteries, test them and interconnect them, if possible. Also, make sure vents for your gas appliances (fireplace, dryer, stove and furnace) are free and clear of snow or debris.
Prepare for Everywhere: Build a Kit
NJOEM works closely with our federal, state and local partners to prepare for virtually all hazards, natural or manmade, that could affect New Jersey's families, communities and businesses.
There are things you can do to prepare for the unexpected and reduce the stress you may feel should an emergency arise. Every family and business should have an emergency plan in place in the event of a natural disaster or other catastrophic event. Spring is a great time to review that plan with family members and colleagues.
For New Jersey residents, the basics of preparedness for virtually all hazards are the same. Have a home and car emergency kit. NJOEM recommends an emergency kit include one gallon of water per day for each person, at least a three-day supply of food, flashlight and batteries, first aid kit, filter mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, and medicines.
Be sure to update your existing emergency kits! Have you added a family member over the winter? Has a new pet joined the family? Make sure they are accounted for in your emergency kits. Update first kits by checking supplies and expiration dates.
Visit http://ready.nj.gov/plan-prepare/your-kit-plan.shtml for a full list of supplies.
Update Emergency Plans
• A communications plan to outline how your family members will contact one another and where to meet if it's safe to go outside. Remember, you won’t always be together in the event of a disaster.
• A shelter-in-place plan if outside air is contaminated; FEMA recommends sealing windows, doors and air vents with plastic sheeting.
• An evacuation plan including various routes and destinations in different directions should you need to leave with little to no notice.
• Supplies and accommodations for your pets. Pets are family too. Visit animalemergency.nj.gov for more info.
Always be prepared! For more info visit ready.nj.gov today!
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