N.J. fire department chiefs remind residents to check smoke alarms

“In a fire, seconds count”, said Page Fire Chief, Jeff Reed.

Fire officials applied for the “Saving Lives One Smoke Detector at a Time” grant from the Home Depot Foundation that would allow for the purchase of 800 smoke alarms.

This year’s theme is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep”.

With fall around the corner and burning season approaching as leaves and debris clutter the lawns, O’Fallon Fire Department is raising awareness for fire safety in honor of Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 4-10 annually.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue credits working smoke alarms for saving a family from a house fire overnight Sunday. Three out of five home fire deaths are in homes that have no smoke alarms or non-working smoke alarms. Nearly two-thirds of house fire deaths occurred in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Never disconnect smoke alarm batteries no matter how annoying the sound; remember: a “chirping” alarm signals a need for a fresh battery. When smoke alarms are installed but do not operate it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead, so the experts recommend individuals remain vigilant and check all alarms monthly. Replace smoke alarms every ten years or if they fail to work when tested. Make sure family members, in particular children, know what the alarms and detectors sound like and what they should do if they go off.

Since opening in June of 2006, more than 100,000 visitors of all ages have been taken step-by-step through a working fire, from alarm activation and emergency call to the “knocking down” of flames at the scene. Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record.

The Page Fire Department will be hosting activities including an Open House on October 7 from 4 – 7 p.m. during Fire Prevention Week to promote “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep”.