Fire Safety Education – It Isn’t Just For Kids!

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Keeping Your Family Safe: 31 Days and 31 Ways

October is Fire Prevention Month! Having working smoke alarms installed throughout your house is the first line of defense for fire prevention. We will be working hard this month to raise awareness about fire safety and help ensure your family and home are safe and protected. This year’s national campaign for Fire Safety Month is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” with an important focus on ensuring everyone knows the different sounds smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make to keep you and your family safe. Fire Chief Goldstein is urging all families to practice “whole home safety” and we’re here to help with a month-long campaign “Keeping Your Family Safe: 31 Days and 31 Ways.” 

Did You Know?

• Three out of every 5 home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no working smoke alarms. 
• Less than 50% of homeowners have an escape plan.
• Unattended cooking is the #1 cause of home fires.

Let’s answer a few quick questions you may have:

What’s the difference between smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms? Do I need both?

Smoke alarms detect smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger and giving you time to safely escape. In the event of a fire, you may have as little as 2 minutes to escape safely, which is why smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom, outside of sleeping areas, and on every level – including the basement (finished or unfinished).  

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that displaces oxygen in your body and brain and can render you unconscious before you are even aware that you are in danger. Without vital oxygen, you are at risk of death from carbon monoxide poisoning in a short time. CO alarms detect the presence of carbon monoxide and alert you so you can get out, call 9-1-1 and have your house checked by MCFRS.

How do I know which smoke and/or CO alarm to choose for my home? There are so many!

Choose an alarm that is listed with a testing laboratory that ensures it has met a rigorous level of testing and standards. For homes built before 1975 that are protected by battery-powered smoke alarms, you must use 10-year alarms with a sealed-in long-life battery. For homes built since July 1975, Code has required hard-wired smoke alarms with a battery backup. This battery can be any type (9V, long life, etc). 

CO alarms also have a battery backup in the event of a power outage and some even have a 10-year battery sealed into the alarm. Choose an alarm that is listed with a testing laboratory. There are also combination models available that integrate both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms into the same unit. For the best protection, select alarms that are interconnected throughout your home. This ensures you can hear the alarm anywhere in your house! 

What if someone in my home is deaf or hard of hearing?

There are smoke alarms and alert devices that alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices include strobe lights that flash to alert people when the smoke alarm sounds. Pillow or bed shakers designed to work with your smoke alarm also can be purchased and installed. 

Have a question or need help?

A quick call to 311 will connect you with someone on our team that can answer all your questions. Thank you on behalf of the Fire Chief and the men and women of MCFRS and please be safe.