Fire Prevention and Safety Tips

Smoke Detectors

The key to surviving or reducing injuries caused by a fire is early notification. Early warning of fire or smoke danger is provided by maintaining smoke detectors in good working order.

The majority of fatal fires occur late at night or in the early morning hours. Early detection may be the key to survival for you and/or your family.

In most cases, people only have an average of two (2) minutes to evacuate a building after they hear a smoke detector activation.

Smoke detectors should be installed on every level of the house and inside and outside all sleeping areas. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper installation of the device(s). Most smoke detectors can be installed with the aid of a screwdriver. Record the installation date somewhere on the detector with a permanent marker.

Replace the unit with a new detector after 10 years of service. Replace detector batteries every spring and fall when daylight savings time changes. “Hard-wired” detectors are connected to the home’s electrical system and may not have a battery backup. In the event of a power outage, “hard wired” detectors without battery backup capabilities become non-operable. In such cases, it is recommended that battery-operated detectors be installed on each level of your home as a backup.

On your calendar, choose and then mark one day each month to test your detectors. Clean detectors annually by gently running the vacuum cleaner around the device, leaving the detector’s cover in place while you do this.

You can purchase smoke detectors at most retail, department or hardware stores.

For more information on smoke alarms, click here.