Smoke Alarms Save Lives

Did you know that most deaths due to house fires happen at night while people are sleeping? Brandon Fire & Emergency Services is reminding the public that working smoke alarms are a key part of your home fire escape plan. They give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.

SMOKE ALARM INSTALLATION

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom and or outside each sleeping area.  Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home.
• Smoke alarms should be on the ceiling or high on the wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms.  When one sounds, they all sound.
• Smoke alarms wired in to the electrical system should have battery backup in case of a power outage.

TEST SMOKE ALARMS MONTHLY

• Every month press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• Testing the smoke alarm while your family is sleeping will verify if they hear the alarm.
• Replace models that do not have test buttons or that are more than 10 years old.

CHANGE THE BATTERIES

• Change the battery twice a year. A good reminder is Change your clock – Change your battery.
• At the same time, clean your smoke alarm following the manufacturer’s instructions included in the packaging or found on the internet.  Replace the cover and test to make sure it is working.
• Smoke alarms with non-replaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to last up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire device right away.

SMOKE ALARMS FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

• Smoke alarms with a high-intensity strobe light feature will warn of a possible fire.
• The sound of the smoke alarm can activate a bed or pillow shaker to wake you.
• If hard of hearing an alert device using a loud, mixed, low-pitched sound can wake you.
• Research the products and select the ones that best meet your needs

For more tips, visit Fire Safety.