The Stevens County Fire Department personnel from left to right are Rodney Kelling, Rickey Burrows, Carlos Rojo, Bailey Esarey, Hayden Harris, Phil Gooch, Rafael Maldonado and Tom Torrey. We thank each and every one of you for keeping our community safe.
October is Fire Prevention Month. Here are some tips for one of the most important things you can have in your home: properly working smoke alarms.
By Daniel Anderson, Cy-Fair Fire Department
While fire safety is important all year, Fire Prevention Month is the perfect time for a refresher on lifesaving steps to protect your family and home. One of the most important actions you can take is to make sure your home has working smoke alarms. In fact, smoke alarms are so critical that this year’s Fire Prevention Week (October 6-12) theme is, “Smoke Alarms: Make them work for you! TM”
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than half of home fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or smoke alarms that didn’t work.
Smoke alarms serve as the first line of defense in the event of a house fire, giving families the crucial time to escape safely. Our biggest priority is to make sure every home is safe and protected.
Here are safety tips on the correct use and management of smoke alarms:
Cover all the bases.
Smoke alarms should be installed on the ceiling or high on the wall in every bedroom and outside each sleeping area. If the smoke alarm is installed on the wall, make sure it isn’t covered by curtains or any other obstruction. If your home has multiple levels, smoke alarms should be installed on each one, including the attic. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing them.
All for one, one for all.
Interconnected smoke alarms offer the best protection—especially if you sleep with your bedroom door shut. When one sounds, they all sound. Every second counts during a house fire, and this may give you more time to get out.
Choose an alarm that is listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
There are two common types of smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectric. Photoelectric alarms are more responsive to smoldering fires, and ionization alarms are more responsive to flaming fires. It’s recommended to have both types or alarms that combine both technologies for the best protection. For fewer false alarms, photoelectric are the best for kitchens and bathrooms.
Test smoke alarms regularly.
All smoke alarms should be tested once a month. You can do that by pressing the test button. If the alarm doesn’t sound, it’s time to replace the batteries (or the alarm itself). In addition to testing, smoke alarms should also be cleaned regularly. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and clean carefully.
Make the proper replacements.
Smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years, even if they appear to still be working properly. Batteries should be replaced every six months. If the alarm chirps, then the batteries should be replaced right away. Some smoke alarms have long-life batteries that are non-replaceable. These are designed to work for up to ten years and don’t need their batteries changed every six months. However, if the alarm chirps, you need to replace the whole smoke alarm.
Ensure smoke alarms meet the needs of all in your household.
For those who are deaf or hearing-impaired, typical smoke alarms may not be reliable to alert them of danger. There are other options available, such as smoke alarms that have strobe lights that flash when the alarm sounds.
Research your options and different products, and find the best fit for your household. We want everyone to be alerted in the event of a fire. Again, make sure these devices are listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
Working smoke alarms save lives, but only if they are installed correctly and maintained regularly. We want every family to make sure their home is equipped with functional smoke alarms in the right places.
About CFFD:
The Cy-Fair Fire Department (CFFD) provides professional fire and emergency medical services to the citizens of Northwest Harris County, Texas. From its beginnings in the late 1950s, the Cy-Fair FD is now one of the largest, busiest combination fire departments in the United States, with over 38,000 emergency responses each year. CFFD covers the 164-square-mile area of Harris County Emergency Services District #9 (HCESD9) in the unincorporated part of Northwest Harris County. Responding from 13 stations strategically located throughout the territory, the 550-plus men and women of the fire department are among the best trained and equipped firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and dispatchers in the nation.
