Smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. According to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. Meanwhile, roughly two-thirds of all home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms detect and alert people to fire in its early stages, giving people the time needed to escape safely. That’s why it’s so important for every home to have them in all required locations, including bedrooms.
We offer the following tips for making sure the smoke alarms in your home are maintained and working properly:
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button, and make sure everyone in your home knows their sound.
• If an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
• Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they’re ten years old or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested.
Glen Lake area residents with questions and/or concerns about the updated smoke alarm requirements may contact our daily duty crew at 231.334.3279 or by stopping by the nearest GLFD station. They can also visit NFPA’s Web site at www.nfpa.org/smokealarms for more information.
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