The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA), the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week™ for 99 years, has announced “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety™” as the theme for Fire Prevention Week, October 3–9, 2021. From beeps to chirps, this year’s campaign works to better educate the public about the sounds smoke alarms make, what those sounds mean, and how to respond to them. You can visit their site at NFPAs Fire Prevention Week The site contains all you need to know about keeping your detectors working, where to put them and many fire prevention tips.

It is alarming to note that 20-25% of our local responses are to smoke alarms going off! Only 3-5% of those alarms actually have smoke setting them off. These alarms cannot be disreguarded by the fire department as we have an obligation to respond. It causes frustration if you cannot shut the alarm off while we are notified. The best course of action is to test the detectors regularly and replace any low batteries or units that are over 10 years old. Having a working smoke detector increases your chances of surviving a fire by 55%. Make sure these units are the right type and located in the right space. Any smoke detector sold after April 2020 must have a 10-year battery in New York State.
Smoke detectors shall be installed in the following locations:
-Within each sleeping room (bedroom) on each story.
-Outside each separate bedroom (sleeping room) in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom (sleeping room).
-On each additional story of the dwelling, including basements.
If unsure, call or contact your local fire department for advice. In addition to smoke detectors, Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors are required by law in New York State. Please help us and yourself by knowing the different sounds that these alarms make and how to maintain them properly. As always we hope everyone has a safe and healthy year ahead. Thanks for preventing fires and being a fire safety family.
We will be visiting our local elementary schools this week between Tues., Oct 5th and Fri. Oct 8th. See your school for times!