Fire Prevention Week focuses on smoke alarms

  • Published
  • By Assistant Chief Mark Webb
  • Hanscom Air Force Base Fire Department
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Newer smoke alarm recommendations and technologies now provide greater levels of home fire protection than ever before. Unfortunately, many people still do not know about these updated recommendations, nor do they have this level of fire protection in their homes. In an effort to better educate the public about these critical home fire safety issues, the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has developed "Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!," as the theme for Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 3 through 9.

The Hanscom Fire Department is holding fun, family-oriented activities during Fire Prevention Week to support "Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!" locally. The Hanscom community is strongly encouraged to participate in these events to learn more about the importance of smoke alarms.

The Hanscom Fire Department has scheduled fire safety training for the schools and all child care programs throughout the week. The marquee event for Fire Prevention Week on Hanscom is the Fire Safety Walk that will take place on Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Castle Park. The event will consist of several fire safety booths, demonstrations, prizes and giveaways. Food and beverages will also be provided.

The following are some fire prevention tips:

· Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, including the basement, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom. Larger homes may need additional smoke alarms. Never remove or disable smoke alarms.

· Interconnection of smoke alarms is highly recommended. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all do. This is particularly important in larger or multi-story homes, where the sound from distant smoke alarms may be reduced to the point that it may not be loud enough to provide proper warning, especially for sleeping individuals. A licensed electrician can install hard-wired multiple-station alarms. Wireless alarms, which manufacturers have more recently begun producing, can be installed by the homeowner.

· There are two types of smoke alarm technologies: ionization and photoelectric. An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires, like a pan fire or the smoke from cooking. A photoelectric alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires, like a cigarette, overheated wiring or something hot like a space heater. Homeowners should install both types of alarms in the home or a combination of ionization and photoelectric alarms that take advantage of both technologies.

· Test smoke alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button. If an alarm "chirps," warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

· All smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and those that are hard-wired alarms, should be replaced when they're 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested.