Commentary: Smoke alarms: A sound you can live with

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Eric Hartman
  • 442nd Civil Engineers Squadron
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  A pot holder too close to a lit burner or a space heater left on overnight could be all it takes to start a fire. In fact, cooking and heating are among the leading causes of home fires in the United States, according to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association.

Once a fire has started in your home, smoke and toxic gasses will spread very rapidly, posing a serious danger to occupants. The early warning provided by smoke alarms can be the difference between life and death in a fire. That's why smoke alarms belong in every home and why they are "a sound you can live with!"

The 442nd CES-Fire Protection Flight teamed up with the NFPA Oct. 3-9 to educate wing members about the importance of smoke alarms and encourage everyone to take the steps necessary to update and maintain their home smoke alarm protection during Fire Prevention Week.

According the latest research from NFPA, more than 2,695 people died in home fires in the United States in 2009. Fire departments responded to 480,500 home fires, which accounted for 89 percent of civilian fire deaths, and $10.8 billion in property damage.

While this was a 7 percent decrease from 2008, the number is still staggering.

"The number of fires and fire deaths nationally is significant, but the good news is that many of these are preventable," said Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Loar, 442nd Civil Engineers Squadron fire chief.

Additionally, 65 percent of reported home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms, or non-working smoke alarms, and 73 pecent of smoke alarms, which fail to operate in a fire are caused by missing, disconnected, or dead batteries.

Your chance of death in a home fire is reduced by 50 percent simply by having properly functioning smoke alarms.

Do you know how to properly install and maintain your smoke alarm? Reviewing the following information can help you "BEEP Prepared!" during Fire Prevention Week and year-round.

· NEVER assume a sounding, or beeping, smoke alarm is a false alarm.
· Install smoke alarms in each sleeping area, and on each level of your home.
· Do not install smoke alarms near windows, doors, or air ducts where drafts may interfere with their operation.
· Alarms should be replaced every 10 years, regardless of functionality or condition.
· Batteries should be replaced at least annually, and alarms tested monthly.
· "Hard-wired" smoke alarms contain a battery back-up, which must also be changed annually.

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. For 86 years fire departments have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record.