PSA: Smoke Alarm Safety

Three out of five home fire deaths in 2007-2011 resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms, according to the report “Smoke Alarms in U.S. Home Fires,” released by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The report examines the number of reported fires in U.S. households with and without working smoke alarms, as well as the effectiveness of smoke alarms in preventing fire-related deaths.

NFPA recommends:

·         Installing smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.

·         For the best protection, interconnecting all smoke alarms so when one sounds they all sound.

·         Using both photoelectric and ionization smoke alarms or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms, also known as dual sensor alarms. An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires.

·         Replacing all smoke alarms every 10 years or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested.

·         Testing all smoke alarms at least once a month by using the test button.

For more information on smoke alarms and safety tips, visit NFPA’s website at www.nfpa.org/smokealarms.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. NFPA develops more than 300 codes and standards to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other hazards. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed at no cost at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.