Three people died in two separate fires in Austin this morning. In one incident, two boys died and the Austin Fire Department stated that there were no working smoke alarms in the house. Even though firefighters made a valiant rescue just five minutes after receiving the call, the boys were too badly injured to save.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says in a report published in 2011, “Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms.” The report continues with this startling finding – “In one-fifth of all homes with smoke alarms, none were working.”
Make sure your home and family are protected. The NFPA offers these tips:
- Choose a smoke alarm that bears the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
- Install a smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement.
- For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
- Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested.
- Test your smoke alarms at least every month, using the test button or an approved smoke substitute and clean the units, both in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions.
- Smoke alarms with non-replaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm.
- For smoke alarms with any other type of battery, replace batteries at least once a year. If that smoke alarm chirps, replace only the battery.
- An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, or where extra time is needed to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms, or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms, are recommended
For safety tip sheets on a variety of topics, go to www.nfpa.org/safetytips.
The next step is to develop and practice a home fire escape plan.
According to an NFPA survey, only one of every three American households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
While 71% of Americans have an escape plan in case of a fire, only 45% of those have practiced it. •
One-third of American households who made an estimate thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. The time available is often less. And only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out!
http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/pdf/public%20education/escapeplanningtips.pdf
You may also visit any area fire station. The firefighters will be able to provide you with more information.
