Change your Clocks, Change your Batteries Nov. 5

Published on November 03, 2023

The Manchester Fire Department reminds you on Sunday November 5^th to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and test them monthly. Please replace your smoke alarms every 10 years and carbon monoxide alarms every 7 years.

Cooking is, by far, the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries.

• In 2021, fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated 170,000 home cooking fires. These fires caused an estimated 135 deaths, 3,000 injuries and over $494 million in property loss.
• The leading factor contributing to ignition in non-confined home cooking fires was unattended equipment (37%).

Prevent Kitchen Fires by:

• Stand by your pan. If you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so that no one can bump them or pull them over.
• Watch what you are cooking. Fires start when the heat is too high. If you see any smoke or the grease starts to boil, turn the burner off.
• Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby. Use it to cover the pan if it catches on fire. This will put out the fire.

Cooking Fire Safety:

• Clean cooking equipment after each use. Crumbs in a toaster or grease on the stove can catch on fire.
• If you have a fire in your oven, turn it off. Let the contents cool before cleaning.
• If you have a fire in your oven and the flames escape it, leave your home, and call 911.