Working smoke alarms save lives

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The Hanscom Fire Department will recognize Fire Prevention Week Oct. 5 through 11 by reminding all base employees and residents to test their fire alarm monthly.

This year's Fire Prevention Week theme is "Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month." Along with firefighters and safety advocates nationwide, the fire department is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association during this upcoming week to spread this important message.

According to the latest NFPA research, working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. In addition, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from not having smoke alarms or smoke alarms that were not working.

"In a fire, seconds count," said Robert Kenyon, 66th Air Base Group Fire Department captain. "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. Working smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out."

The Fire Department recommends:

· 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.
· Test 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 Hanscom Fire Department will be hosting activities during Fire Prevention Week to promote "Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives!" Through these educational, family-oriented activities, employees and residents can learn more about the importance of working smoke alarms.

Fire Prevention Week was established in 1927 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire that took place Oct. 8-9, 1871. During that fire, more than 250 people died, 100,000 were left homeless and the fire destroyed 17,400 structures.

To learn more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities at Hanscom, please contact the Hanscom Fire Department at 781- 225-5600 or 781-225-5601.

For further information on smoke alarms, visit NFPA's website at www.firepreventionweek.org.