Have you ever removed the batteries from your smoke alarm because it started chirping at 3 am and you just wanted to go back to sleep?
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), this scenario is one reason fires happen and claim lives. The NFPA Named October 3-9 National Fire Prevention Week in 1922 in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. All of October is Fire Prevention Month, and the goal is to use the month to raise fire safety awareness, and help ensure that people are protected.
The theme of 2021‘s Fire Prevention Week is “Learn the sounds of Fire Safety”. Remember that 3 am smoke alarm chirp scenario? Here are some tips on recognizing the sounds of Fire safety:
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When a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide (CO) alarm sounds, respond immediately by exiting the home as quickly as possible.
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If your alarm begins to chirp, it may mean that the batteries are running low and need to be replaced. If the alarm continues to chirp after the batteries are replaced, or the alarm is more than 10 years old, it is time to replace the alarm.
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Test all smoke and CO alarms monthly. Press the test button to make sure the alarm is working.
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If there is someone in your household who is deaf or hard of hearing, install bed shaker and strobe light alarms that will alert that person to fire.
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Know the difference between the sound of a smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide alarm – three beeps for smoke alarms; four beeps for carbon monoxide alarms.
