When was the last time you tested the smoke alarms in your home? Was it last week? Last month? A year ago?

If you’re like many people, you may not even remember. Smoke alarms have become such a common feature of U.S. households that they’re often taken for granted, and aren’t tested and maintained as they should.

However, working smoke alarms are a critical fire safety tool that can mean the difference between life and death in a home fire. According to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), smoke alarms can cut the chance of dying in a home fire in half. Meanwhile, NFPA data shows that home fires killed more than 2,300 people in 2012; many of these deaths could have been prevented with the proper smoke alarm protection.

Here are additional smoke alarm tips to follow:

1. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.

2. Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.

3. Test alarms each month by pushing the test button.

4. Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 year old or sooner if they do not respond properly.

5. Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound and understands what to do when they hear the smoke alarm.

PLEASE JOIN US AT THE:

COBB ISLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT and EMS
FIRE PREVENTION OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, October 25, 2015

12:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Movies, Puppet Show,
Free Fire Prevention Materials,
Free Blood Pressure Checks,
Tours of Fire Apparatus.

Refreshments served.

Remember: Nov. 1, 2015 - Clocks turn back &
Change the Batteries in Your Smoke Detectors!

For information, call 301-259-2730