Smoke detector replacement is focus of October 9-15 Fire Prevention Week
How often should the smoke detectors in your home be replaced?
If you don’t know, you’re not alone. A national survey conducted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), shows that nine out of 10 Americans don’t know how often smoke detectors need to be replaced.
The correct answer is – every 10 years.
As the official sponsors of Fire Prevention Week, October 9-15, NFPA – along with Mountain Lake Fire & Rescue and the American Red Cross – are promoting this year’s campaign theme, “Don’t Wait – Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years” – to better educate the public about this potentially life-saving message.
“While the public generally knows that smoke alarms play an important role in home fire safety, some smoke alarm messages are not as well understood,” says Lorraine Carli, vice-president of Outreach and Advocacy for NFPA. “Not knowing how often smoke alarms need to be replaced – or that they even have an expiration date – are among them.”
According to Carli, that lack of awareness means some homes in the United States (U. S.) may have smoke alarms that have outlasted their full functionality, putting people at increased risk in the event of a home fire. NFPA statistics show that three out of five U. S. home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working alarms.
A recent survey of smoke detectors in the U. S. had these key findings –
+ Half of Americans (50%) have three or more smoke detectors in their current home.
+ Almost one-in-five Americans who have smoke alarms (19%) say the oldest smoke detector they currently have in their home is 10+ years old.
+ Nearly one-in-five Americans who have smoke detectors (18%) are not at all sure how old is the oldest smoke detector they currently have in their home.
+ When asked how often they should replace smoke detectors, nine-in-10 Americans (90%) did not select the correct answer, which is once every 10 years.
“Working smoke detectors reduce the risk of dying in a home fire in half,” said Carli. “That’s why it’s so important to make sure they’re working properly.”
A smoke detector’s age can be determined by looking on the back or side of the smoke detector, where the date of manufacture can be found. Smoke detectorss should be replaced 10 years from that date (not the date of purchase or installation).
In addition, smoke detectors should be tested monthly, and batteries should be replaced when they begin to chirp, signaling that they’re running low.
Fire departments throughout the U.S. and Canada play a key role in making Fire Prevention Week an annual success by implementing the campaign in their communities; departments throughout North America will be hosting open houses and other local events throughout October 9-15.
Smoke detectors installed free of charge
The Mankato Chapter of the American Red Cross is teaming up with Mountain Lake Fire & Rescue, who will be installing free 10-year Kidde Smoke Detectors for those who need them. The two groups will be placing 60 smoke detectors at Elmendorf, and are ready to place a new detector in other homes around the city and rural areas.These detectors never need batteries because the battery is sealed. They must be installed properly, which is why it is necessary for the firefighters to complete the installation. Once energized, they cannot be taken apart, of they will fail to operate. Each comes with a manufacturer’s warranty.
If your detector is no longer working, or if you have multi-levels to your home – and only have one detector – contact the City of Mountain Lake Office at (507)427-2999, with name and address, or register at the fire department’s upcoming pancake feed, and a firefighter will check it out.
The program is made possible by corporate donors who are supplying the smoke detectors for the Red Cross. A simple survey will be given at the time of installation, along with a fire evacuation planner, which the consumer fills at and puts on the refrigerator.
The American Red Cross responded to over 800 fire calls last year in Minnesota alone, and it is their goal to minimize the risk to residents, as well as damage, by installing smoke detectors for early warning.
Mountain Lake Fire & Rescue to host Pancake Feed on October 16
In conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, Mountain Lake Fire & Rescue will host a Pancake Feed on Sunday, October 16, serving from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Fire Hall. (Remember, sign-up for smoke detectors can be done at this time.)
About Fire Prevention Week
NFPA has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week since 1922. According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record.
The President of the United States has signed a proclamation declaring a national observance during that week every year since 1925.
Visit www.firepreventionweek.org for more safety information.
About the NFPA
Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, non-profit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.
The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission.
For more information visit www.nfpa.org.
All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.
