News and Important Information from our Human Resources Department for your BENEFIT Why That Chirp Always Happens at 2 a.m. The house is dark and that chill in the air has finally taken hold. It’s the perfect weather to crawl under the covers for a good night of sleep. The doors are locked, the house is quiet and you drift off until – CHIRP! For a second, you wonder why there’s a haul truck backing up in your dream and then you hear it again – CHIRP! And again – CHIRP! By this point, you’ve probably woken up confused. When you hear the highpitched noise again – this time with your eyes open – you know exactly what has to be done and you dread the idea of doing it. You head to the hallway. Is it the one over your door? Nope. Maybe the one in Questions about your benefits or other HR issues? If so, check out these resources: 4 September/October 2017 The Conveyor | www.martinmarietta.com often slow that reaction, leaving the battery too weak to consistently supply the smoke alarm with power. The result? CHIRP!!!!! We here at Martin Marietta want you to avoid a case of the 2 a.m. CHIRPS and we want you to avoid it safely. To do that, you have to be proactive. Smoke alarm maintenance is about as exciting as watching C-SPAN on a Friday night, but it’s an absolute must; according to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), the risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half for those living in homes with working smoke alarms. For this reason alone, here are a few tips to help you make sure your smoke alarms are up to the task of keeping you and your family safe: ■ The USFA recommends a working smoke alarm be located inside each sleeping area, one outside each sleeping area and at least one on every level of the home, including the basement. ■ Smoke alarms should be tested at least once a month. ■ Smoke alarms should be cleaned – vacuumed and cleared of dust and debris – at least once every six months. ■ Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years or any time an alarm does not sound when tested. ■ Smoke alarm batteries should be tested and, if necessary, changed every daylight savings. Our clocks fall back at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5. To learn more facts about smoke alarms, visit the USFA at www.usfa.fema. gov. To read more from Philippe Heller, visit www.sdinspect.com/. ▼ your son’s room? This was not in your plans for 2 a.m., but science often has plans of its own. According to Philippe Heller, president of The Real Estate Inspection Company, that early morning CHIRP! all comes down to a chemical reaction. Most smoke alarms operate on a battery, a power source that relies upon an internal chemical reaction to produce electricity. According to Heller, the speed at which that chemical reaction occurs often depends upon the surrounding temperature. While an older or weakened battery may have just enough juice to produce a timely chemical reaction in the warmth of the day, the cooler temperatures in the middle of the night Benefits Connection 1-877-651-5353 http://benefitsconnection.martinmarietta.com for questions about insurance coverage, eligibility and other general, health & welfare benefit-related questions. Links to provider websites are available online. Employee Assistance Program 1-800-628-6619 for confidential counseling on matters such as emotional, legal, financial and other personal issues that may affect you and your family. Corporate Human Resources Hotline 1-877-781-8757 for questions about compensation, corporate policies, employment verification, safety issues and personnel issues not related to your benefits program. Follow the prompts to direct pension-related questions to Martin Marietta’s Retirement Services or questions about the Savings and Investment Plan – 401(k) plan to Wells Fargo. Take a Moment This Daylight Savings To Change Your Smoke Alarm Batteries
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