Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10

This, despite the fact that having a working smoke alarm doubles your chances of surviving a fire.

“It is our goal to ensure every Springfield child lives in a home with smoke alarms on every floor, outside each sleeping area and in every bedroom”, said Assistant Chief of Prevention Randy Villines. Families who indicate they do not will be contacted by the fire department.

According to the latest NFPA research, half of home fire deaths are a result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., which is when most people are asleep. But this is the only way to prevent fire rescue resources from being wasted on a false alarm.

Baker says this is also a good time to prepare an emergency escape plan and make sure everyone in the home knows how to get out quickly if an alarm goes off and where to meet once outside.

The Springfield Fire Department will install the alarms in homes of Springfield students, following its annual Fire Prevention Month visits to Springfield elementary schools beginning this week. “With the help of the generous donation of 400 smoke alarms from the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield, we will be able to provide smoke alarms for Springfield families at no charge”. This way, when one sounds, they all do.

The Kingsport Fire Department will be hosting activities during Fire Prevention Week to promote “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep”.

If the alarm does not respond when the “test” button is depressed, change the battery or replace the unit if necessary.

Fire Prevention Officer Terry Duff says Saturday’s events will see a live demonstration on a Christmas tree burn plus a live demonstration of an auto extraction. “Consumer Reports recommends replacing your smoke detectors every 10 years”.

The primary point in the association’s message is that every house needs to have not one, but several fire alarms throughout the structure in order to maintain maximum safety. The first is a Fire Open House & Pancake Breakfast on October 3, at 7853 Central Avenue in Lemon Grove.

Here’s another factor that affects home fires.