When you hear a smoke alarm, what do you think?
When you hear a smoke alarm, what do you think?
When you hear a smoke alarm , what do you think? For many of us, if we don’t see any smoke or flames we automatically think it’s a false alarm. We usually don’t even leave the area to inquire if the fire is actually real. This laid back thinking is highly dangerous and can lead to serious bodily injury or even worse death, because fires destroy homes in every town and city across the country.
A tragic event occurred 15 years ago at a prestigious New Jersey college, in which a fire ripped through the dormitory. At 4:30 A.M. smoke detectors were going off; however, the students just assumed it was a false alarm. They had heard the alarm sounding off countless times before in the fall semester, and this time they had become apathetic. By the time the young freshmen population realized that the building was truly on fire, it was too late because the blinding black smoke and fire had engulfed the dorm. In this horrific event dozens were injured, and three male students lost their lives. In this case smoke alarms weren’t the problem; the false alarm assumption was the issue.
Smoke alarm data from the National Fire Protection Association
- 38% of home fire deaths occurred because there was no smoke alarm.
- 21% of home fire deaths occurred because smoke detectors were not operational.
- Smoke Inhalation causes most deaths, not fire burns.
Here are some safety tips for every household
- Install smoke alarms inside and outside of every bedroom and sleeping area.
- Install alarms on every level of the home including the basement.
- Test all smoke alarms at least once a month.
- Avoid installing alarms near the kitchen to reduce false alarms.
- Use special alarms for people who are hard- of -hearing or deaf.
- Replace smoke alarms batteries every 6 months.
- Replace detectors that are 10 years old.
Escape Plan Tips from the National Fire Protection Association
- Gather the family together to develop and implement an escape plan .
- Each family member should be able to open every window and door easily.
- Designate an outside meeting place.
- Provide necessary assistance for needy family members.
- Get outside quickly and go to your outside meeting place when the alarm sounds.
According to the American Red Cross, if a fire starts in your home, you may have just two minutes to escape . Smoke alarms are essential equipment that should be installed and properly maintained in every home and building. They are also the key ingredient of a fire escape plan ; they give you early warning so you can leave your residence quickly.
That is why no matter how old we are I believe people of all ages should listen carefully to fire safety tips whether it is at work, at school, and even at home. Parents need to teach their children that fires can kill; therefore, we must utilize fire prevention tips.
If you would like to learn more ATP is happy to be of assistance, call the office now to arrange a free consult . This is real life ; you need a real security company . ATP Alarms is American Total Protection .
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