Check Your Smoke Alarm When You Change Your Clocks

The following is a prepared statement from the PWC Department of Fire and Rescue:

"On Sunday, Nov. 6, the Department will partner with the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) in supporting the Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign. The initiative emphasizes smoke alarms, escape plans, and home safety walk-through to eliminate fire hazards from homes. The Department will provide sample escape plans for residents, available on the web at www.pwcgov.org/fire or the Department of Fire & Rescue Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/PWCDFR to use, make and practice their own home fire escape plan.  

“I encourage everyone to fully inspect their homes for fire hazards,” said Assistant Chief Hadden Culp, Prince William County Fire Marshal. “Checking the operation of your smoke alarm and having an escape plan that everyone knows will save many lives as we move into the winter months, statistically one of our busiest times of the year.” 

A working smoke alarm can help you and your family to escape a deadly fire. It can also help save the lives of firefighters who would otherwise have to risk their lives by searching a burning home for residents. A working smoke alarm continuously scans the air for smoke, 24/7. It never sleeps.

More than 3,000 people die in home fires each year in the United States; most of whom are in homes without a working smoke alarm. A working, properly installed smoke alarm lowers your chances of dying in a fire by 50 percent. According to USFA between 2000 and 2009, there was an average of 1,586,000 fires resulting in an estimated $11,885,000 in direct dollar loss each year.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration recommend the following smoke alarm life-saving tips to keep you and your family safe:

• Place a smoke alarm on every level of your home including the basement and inside and outside sleeping areas

• Check smoke alarms monthly by pushing the test button.  If you cannot reach the button easily, use a broom handle.  
• Change the batteries in your alarms at least once a year or each time you change your clock. (spring forward, fall back).

• Do not remove the batteries from your smoke alarms to put in other appliances.
• The life span of a smoke alarm is 8-10 years and the entire alarm should be replaced during this time (consider installing a ten-year lithium battery-powered smoke alarm which is sealed so it cannot be tampered with or opened).
• Hard-wired smoke alarms with battery back-ups need to be tested monthly and batteries replaced yearly.  
• Keep smoke alarms clean. Vacuum or dust your smoke alarms according to manufacturer’s directions to keep them working properly.
• Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do in the event it sounds.

Smoke alarms can often sound while cooking or taking a shower that emits large amounts of steam.  If a smoke alarm sounds during these types of activities, do not remove or disable the battery; creating a minor fix that can lead to a deadly mistake.  Instead you should:

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  • Open a window or door and press the “hush” button,
  • Wave a towel at the alarm to clear the air, or
  • Move the entire alarm several feet away from the location.

Smoke Alarms for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

According to USFA, there are 11 million deaf or hard of hearing Americans who are unable to rely on traditional audible smoke alarms to alert them of fire. But they can rely on vibrating alarms or visual alarms equipped with flashing strobe lights.  It is vital that this audience is aware of the availability of these types of smoke alarm devices as well as the importance of a proper escape plan. For more information on smoke alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing contact the Hearing and Loss Association of America at 301-657-2248 or visit http://www.hearingloss.org/.

For more information on fire prevention and smoke alarm safety, visit our web site atwww.pwcgov.org/fire."