This Fire Prevention Week, Don't Wait - Check The Date!

AURORA, Ill., Sept. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- You replace your cell phone, your home's air filters and lightbulbs – even your toothbrush. But when was the last time you replaced – or thought about replacing – your home's smoke alarms?

While smoke alarm lifespan and sensing technology has vastly improved in recent years, the fact remains that all smoke alarms expire after 10 years. However, nearly a quarter of Americans (23 percent) have either never replaced their smoke alarms – or have not done so in more than six years.* This, coupled with the fact that three out of five home fire deaths occur in properties without working smoke alarms – often due to missing alarm batteries or expired alarms** – is cause for concern for local fire and safety officials.

As a proud promoter of the National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Fire Prevention Week campaign, "Don't Wait – Check the Date: Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years," First Alert, the most trusted name in home safety,*** is urging the public to check the manufacture dates on their home's smoke alarms and replace them as needed.

"Many people assume that because they have smoke alarms in their homes, they're automatically protected in the event of a fire," said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. "In reality, smoke alarms need to be installed, maintained and tested regularly to ensure that they're working properly. Part of that effort includes knowing how old your smoke alarms are, because smoke alarms don't last forever."

NFPA 72, National Signaling and Fire Alarm Code^®, requires that residential smoke alarms be replaced at least every 10 years, but because the public is generally unaware of this requirement, many homes may have smoke alarms well past their expiration dates. To find out whether it's time to replace the smoke alarms in your home, simply look on the back of the alarms where the date of manufacture is marked. The smoke alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date (not the date of purchase or installation).

"Installing new alarms ensures your home is protected with the most current sensing technologies and the latest safety features available," said Tom Russo, president of First Alert. "Conversely, by neglecting to replace alarms, you could be putting yourself and your family at serious risk. If the alarms in your home are approaching the 10-year mark, or if you can't remember when they were installed, be safe and replace them immediately." Several laws have been enacted or proposed in recent years requiring specific alarm features, such as 10-year sealed batteries or hardwired models, as well as specific smoke sensing technology. While homeowners may have been up to date with previous regulations, there's a possibility that further action may be needed in order to comply with newer local laws.

If alarms are due for replacement, consider upgrading your level of protection with devices containing 10-year sealed batteries, which offer tamper-proof, hassle-free protection while eliminating the need to replace batteries for the life of the alarms. For ultimate home safety, select combination smoke/carbon monoxide (CO) alarm models for complete protection from the threats of smoke and CO. A variety of smoke alarms, including hardwired, combination and 10-year battery-powered models, are available to meet specific needs and local requirements.

"Each year nearly 3,000 Americans die from home fires,****" said Russo. "Our goal, and the goal of NFPA's Fire Prevention Week campaign, is to bring these numbers down by continually educating consumers about the dangers of fire and teaching them how to protect themselves, their families and their homes."

For more information on Fire Prevention Week, visit www.firepreventionweek.org. For more information on First Alert home safety products, as well as legislation resources and a complete home safety checklist, go to www.firstalert.com.

*First Alert Smoke Alarm Survey, 2009 – For more information or a copy of the complete survey and results, contact Tim Young at LCWA: 312/565-4628 or [email protected].

** "Smoke Alarms in U.S. Home Fires," National Fire Protection Association; http://www.nfpa.org/~/media/files/research/nfpa-reports/fire-protection-systems/ossmokealarms.pdf

***First Alert Brand Trust Survey, January 2016 – Results are based on the responses of 1,004 adults, ages 18 and older, living in the United States who completed a telephone survey, January 28-31, 2016. Results are accurate to +/- 3 percentage points with a 95 percent confidence level and can be generalized to the entire adult population in the United States within those statistical parameters. For more information or a copy of the complete survey and results, contact Tim Young at LCWA: 312/565-4628 or [email protected].

****National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org)

About BRK Brands, Inc.
BRK Brands, Inc. (Aurora, IL), is a fully owned subsidiary of Newell Brands. For 50 years, BRK Brands, Inc. has been the manufacturer of First Alert^®-branded home-safety products, the most trusted and recognized safety brand in America. BRK^® Brands designs and develops innovative safety solutions including Tundra^™ Fire Extinguishing Spray, Onelink by First Alert smart home products, a comprehensive line of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and escape ladders to protect what matters most.  Such products are also marketed under the BRK Electronics^® brand, The Professional Standard for the builder and contractor audiences.  BRK Brands, Inc. products are found in more than 30 countries worldwide.  For more information, visit http://www.firstalert.com, http://www.brkelectronics.com or http://www.newellbrands.com.

About Newell Brands
Newell Brands (NYSE: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, Dymo®, EXPO®, Parker®, Elmer's®, Coleman®, Jostens®, Marmot®, Rawlings®, Irwin®, Lenox®, Oster®, Sunbeam®, FoodSaver®, Mr. Coffee®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Graco®, Baby Jogger®, NUK®, Calphalon®, Rubbermaid®, Contigo®, First Alert®, Waddington and Yankee Candle®. Driven by a sharp focus on the consumer, leading investment in innovation and brands, and a performance-driven culture, Newell Brands helps consumers achieve more where they live, learn, work and play.

This press release and additional information about Newell Brands are available on the company's website, http://www.newellbrands.com.

©2016 BRK Brands, Inc., Aurora, IL 60504. All rights reserved.

First Alert^® is a registered trademark of The First Alert Trust, Aurora, IL 60504.

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SOURCE First Alert

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