Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a fire. That’s the message behind this year’s Fire Prevention Month campaign, “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month!”
Along with firefighters and safety advocates nationwide, the Bismarck Fire Department is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) during Fire Prevention Month, to remind local residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home and testing them monthly.
According to the latest NFPA research, working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. Meanwhile, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
“In a fire, seconds count,” said Fire Marshal Ron Kunda. “Roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.” “While most homes have smoke detectors,” according to Fire Marshal Kunda, “many are not checked regularly and may not work when needed.”
This year’s Fire Prevention Month campaign includes the following smoke alarm messages:
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do.
• Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don’t respond properly.
• Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.
The Bismarck Fire Department sponsored a Fire Prevention Poster Contest for 4th, 5th and 6th grade students in Bismarck area schools to promote “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives!” The first place student from each category will receive a ride to school in the fire truck during Fire Prevention Week, October 6-10. All other winners will receive special recognition in their classroom by the Bismarck Fire Department. In addition, the fire department will be visiting each of the elementary schools to do fire safety presentations with 1st-3rd grade students throughout the month.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Month and other fire safety topics, please visit the Bismarck Fire Department website at www.bismarcknd.gov/fire, or NFPA at www.firepreventionweek.org, or call 355-1400.