The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has been in existence for over one hundred years and every year in October they designate a topic for National Fire Prevention Week. This year the topic is: “Smoke Alarms: Make them work for you.” The week is Sunday, October 6th through Saturday, October 12th.
Per NFPA properly working smoke alarms have been proven to reduce the risk from dying in a home fire by 54%. Also, per NFPA, this year’s focus on working smoke alarms comes in response to their data, which indicates that many U.S. home fire deaths continue to occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Three out of five fire deaths are attributed to smoke alarm issues.
NFPA recommends the following:
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.
- Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or don’t respond when tested.
Smoke alarms are an inexpensive way to not only protect your life and those of your loved ones but may also possibly reduce property damage. Many smoke alarms require either an AA or 9-volt battery. Batteries should be replaced every two years. There are new smoke alarms that have a lithium battery, and the battery lasts for 10 years. The batteries are not replaceable. As with any smoke alarm, once they are 10 years old, the alarms need to be replaced, it is no different for lithium battery smoke alarms. The 10-year lithium battery alarms are considered more cost effective and easier to maintain. Lithium battery alarms come as either battery only or hard wired.
As mentioned above, smoke alarms must meet the needs of all family members. If there is someone that is hearing impaired, they may benefit from strobe lights and/or a pillow or bed shaker. These alarms are activated by the sound of your smoke alarm.
Everyone in the home needs to know what the smoke alarm sounds like and what they are supposed to do should an alarm sound. Many smoke alarms are interconnected, meaning if one goes off, they will all go off. This can be really frightening for young children.
Everyone should have an Escape Plan: It’s important that you have an escape plan.
- The escape plan should be in writing.
- It should include two ways to get out of every room. If there is an upper level with an escape ladder, family members need to practice how to use it.
- Everyone should leave the home and meet at a designated place outside of the home.
- No one should go back into the home, once out. When everyone is at their meeting place and safely out of the home, use a mobile phone or neighbors’ phone to call 9-1-1.
When there is an active fire and smoke in the house statistics show that occupants have less than 2 to 3 minutes to get out safely.
- Home fire drills should be practiced at least twice a year, more often if you have young children, with the goal of everyone getting out in 2 minutes.
- With small children you need to plan who will be responsible for them, practice crawling on your hands and knees if there is smoke.
- This can be very scary for young children, but if you approach it from a safety standpoint and practice, children will feel more in control and comfortable.
To learn how to create and implement a home fire escape plan go to: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/prepare-for-fire/home-fire-escape-plans/
Remember it is extremely important for your safety, not to disable smoke alarms. No one wishes their home will catch fire, but when it does it is key that the smoke alarms are working, and you have a plan to get out.
The Santa Rita Fire Department has a group of Fire Corps volunteers that will take care of not only replacing your batteries, but also your smoke alarms, if needed. You can find more information about the program and pricing on this website if interested in signing up in the program. Our group of volunteers are here and eager to serve you.
For more information, visit www.nfpa.org. To learn more about Fire Prevention Week and this year’s theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” visit fpw.org. You can find additional Fire Prevention Week resources for children, caregivers, and educators at: sparky.org and sparkyschoolhouse.org .