BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a fire. That’s the message behind this year’s Fire Prevention Week Campaign, “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month!”
Along with firefighters and safety advocates nationwide, the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department joined forces with the nonprofit national Fire Protection Association (NFPA) during Fire Prevention Week, October 5-11, to remind local residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home and testing them monthly.
According to the latest NFPA research, working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. Meanwhile, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
“In a fire, seconds count,” said C.W. Mardis, Fire Marshal for the City of Birmingham. “Roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.”
This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign included the following smoke alarm messages:
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. this way, when one sounds, they all do.
• Tests alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don’t respond properly.
• Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.
The Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department hosted activities all week long throughout the city during Fire Prevention Week to promote “Working Smoke Alarms Saves Lives! including the annual Fire Prevention parade along 20th street in the heart of downtown on October 8th.
Contact the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department Office of Public Education at 250-7525 for more on Fire Prevention.
