As we prepare to “fall back” this weekend and get that extra hour of sleep on Sunday morning, remember not only your clocks but batteries too. The UCI Police Department encourages everybody to change out the batteries in all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home every six months (approx.) in accordance with the time changes (Spring & Fall). These devices save lives and it is important that they are powered with a fresh source of energy whenever we ‘Spring forward’ & ‘Fall back’. A comprehensive list of tips related to smoke detector preparedness can be found below:
• Have smoke alarms on every level in your home, especially outside sleeping area and preferably inside bedrooms as well.
• Test them at least once a month, and replace batteries when you change your clocks twice per year,
• Replace all detectors after 10 years.
• Place smoke alarms according to manufacturer’s directions.
• Clean the outside ONLY of a smoke alarm by gently going over the cover with the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner. Never paint a smoke alarm.
• Whenever a smoke alarm beeps take it seriously. It might just be a false alarm from cooking, temperature changes, or dust-but you can’t afford to ignore the alert. Everyone in the family needs to react immediately.
• Develop and practice a home escape plan. Make sure your family knows two ways out of each room, a safe meeting place outside, how to call 9-1-1 once they’re out, and why they should NEVER go back in to a burning house.
Another ‘Fall Back’ practice we encourage of all of our students, staff & faculty is to review & update your family’s emergency plan and your emergency supplies/go kits. http://www.readyoc.org/ This is important because contact information changes and many supplies with an expiration date become perishable over time such as food, water, medication, etc. An outdated plan or kit could defeat the purpose of preparing these items in the first place so remember to keep these items current with the time change.
We encourage the community to partner with the UC Irvine Police Department to prevent or report crime by calling (949) 824-5223. If you wish to remain Anonymous, call “OC Crime Stoppers” by dialing 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227), text "OCCS" plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or use the website http://occrimestoppers.org/
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UC Irvine Police Department
(949) 824-5223
http://police.uci.edu/
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