Fire Prevention Week
October 6 – 12 was National Fire Prevention Week. It’s one of the “celebrations” we are highlighting for the month of October, like we did in the previous safety tip for Cyber Security Month. This year, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)’s theme was “Smoke Detectors: Make Them Work for You.”
When you think of smoke detectors, do you think of that annoying thing that beeps or makes some kind of loud noise every time you burn the toast? Like many people, have you been tempted to take the batteries out of it, or disconnect the unit? Or, when the batteries died, did you decide not to replace them? You are not alone. That is a common problem.
According to a press release issued by the NFPA, “Smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a home fire, but they have to be working in order to deliver the needed protection,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of the Outreach and Advocacy division at NFPA.” To read the full press release, go here: https://www.nfpa.org/about-nfpa/press-room/news-releases/2024/nfpa-announces-smoke-alarms-make-them-work-for-you-as-official-theme-for-fire-prevention-week.
According to a report released on the effectiveness of smoke detectors by the NFPA, in a study of 1,000 home structure fires, the death rate was 60% lower in homes with working smoke detectors. For more statistics, the key findings from that report can be found here: https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/nfpa-research/fire-statistical-reports/smoke-alarms-in-us-home-fires.
The key points in this year’s Fire Prevention Week are 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.
We have two more tips to add to those:
1. Dust the smoke detector as you are testing it. Dust, bugs, etc., can also set off the smoke detector. Prevent the unit from alerting you by avoiding the problem in the first place.
2. While it is tempting to become complacent and ignore the smoke detector when it goes off, do more than silence it. Find out why it is beeping. It could be a fire.
A smoke detector with a 10-year battery can be found for less than $30 at both Amazon and Home Depot. It’s a small price to pay for something that could potentially save your life.
Weekly Safety Challenge:
This week, we want you to talk with your family about the smoke detector. Ask them what they think about it, and then ask them what they would do if they discovered something was on fire in the house. You want them to know that the first course of action should be to yell out to anyone else in the house, get out safely, and then call the fire department.
