Submitted by Steve Winicker.
LAST WEEKENDS SHOP ACTIVITY
Friday was pretty much taken up preparing for the Pumpkin Train and Saturday was occupied running the Pumpkin Train followed by a board meeting. Sunday, we got started removing 765’s Jacketing. Fun was had by most all three days. Sorry if you missed it.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
Planning to continue work on removing the jacket. The smoke box still needs cleaned and the firebox washed out. The sand dome needs to be at least partially emptied so we can lift it off the engine, possibly weekend after next.
SAFETY SENSE
Most of us pay attention to expiration dates on food and medical prescriptions. But, have you ever considered the expiration date of a smoke alarm? These potentially life-saving devices do have lives of their own and expire after about 10 years or 87,000 hours of service.
However, that’s something that’s not widely known. A recent national survey conducted by First Alert revealed that 72 percent of Americans are not aware that smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years. If you neglect replacing your alarms, you could be putting yourself, family and potentially others at risk.
If you open the smoke alarm in most cases a manufactured or expiration date can be found on it inside the cover. If there is no date, then it may be too old anyway and should be replaced.
Everyone is encouraged to make sure their home is equipped with working smoke alarms – the key word being “Working.”
The fact is, even if there are smoke alarms installed at home, you and your family may not be sufficiently protected if they haven’t been maintained. According to the Houston Fire Department, an estimated 30 percent of all residential fires responded to are in homes without a smoke alarm or they have a non-working smoke alarm(s).
Check the batteries
Check to ensure the alarm unit isn’t filled with dust
Check to ensure it hasn’t been painted over especially in the vent areas
Check the alarm by depressing the test button. This should be performed monthly.
Check the expiration date and/or manufacture date to assure the alarm is within the 10-year life range.
Newer alarms are available with 10-year battery life.
For the discounted pricing of smoke alarms these days, it just isn’t worth the risk not to have a properly working one.
