Smoke Detectors SAVE
LIVES
LANDLORDS TENANTS AND
HOMEOWNERS PLEASE READ
Our
lead topic for our February 2007 newsletter is the result of a press
release on SMOKE DETECTORS received from the International Association
of Fire Chiefs which begins:
The International
Association of Fire Chiefs is pleading with the media to help us
inform the public of the high number of house
fires with fatalities that have occurred since the
beginning of February. “We have lost too many people in home fires
in the last two weeks,” said President Chief Jim Harmes. “Last
night, six were killed in a house fire in Louisiana, two in house
fires in Tennessee and one in my own community in Grand Blanc,
Michigan. It is mid-February('07) and by media reports, 59 people in
the U.S. have perished in house fires in 17 states since the beginning
of this month. We have got to do something,” said Harmes.
Right
before this email, a resident a few miles down the road was critically
burned in an early morning fire. The Heroics of a
neighbor (with a fire extinguisher) and the fire department have, so
far, saved this person's life.
We then gathered
some more information on
Smoke
Detectors, Fire Sprinklers, Carbon Monoxide Fire Extinguishers and
Fire Escape plans
to remind all we can.. If we can reach just ONE
resident – we did good.
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Every
year nearly 4,000 Americans die in home fires and
approximately 20,000 are injured. Children and the elderly are
especially at risk in home fires because they are less able to
escape when fire strikes. There are approximately 500 CO
(Carbon Monoxide) fatalities annually, and many more persons
suffer flu-like symptoms from CO exposure. You can improve the
chances that your family will survive a home fire or CO leak
by installing smoke and CO alarms and knowing what to do if
they sound. |
THERE ARE MANY LAWS IN EVERY STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT
REQUIRE AT LEAST ONE SMOKE DETECTOR IN EVERY HOME. THEY MUST BE
LOCATED IN THE BEDROOM AREA. IF YOU RENT, YOUR LANDLORD SHOULD
HAVE SUPPLIED YOU WITH ONE. YOU SHOULD TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE
SURE THE ALARM IS WORKING. MANY LAWS ALSO REQUIRE A CARBON MONOXIDE
DETECTOR.
SMOKE
DETECTOR Helpful Tip : Pick
a holiday or your birthday and replace the batteries each year
on that day.
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For
those that don’t have the patience to read more, see these tips:
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Check
smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to be sure they are working
properly.
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Have
an escape plan with a meeting place.
An escape plan is a “what-if”
plan – if there is a fire how do I get out – can I? Read more.
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Once
you exit your home, DO NOT return. Too many people lose their
lives going back into a burning home.
Wait for help.
-
Stoves
are not made for heating homes.
Carbon Monoxide will kill you. Read more.
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Supplemental
heating devices should be used and maintained in accordance with
manufacturer recommendations. Keep combustibles clear. Do not
leave supplemental heating devices unattended.
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If
you are burning wood in your fireplace, make sure your chimneys
are properly maintained. You can die from a chimney fire or from
Carbon Monoxide. That goes for your furnace, as well.
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If
candles are necessary, use them in a safe environment in a
fireproof container and away from children. Do not leave them
unattended. Better
yet – do not burn candles. Do not fall asleep with candles next
to your bed. Many people have died when they rolled over and a
blanket caught on fire.
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If
you are a tenant and are renting your home, check your fire alarm.
Make sure you have at least one or more. Your landlord may not do
it. DO NOT WAIT.
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If
you need a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector and do not
have the money for one, contact your local fire department. There
are many, many programs to help the poor and elderly.
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If
you buy a smoke detector, INSTALL IT. It will do nothing other
then melt in it’s packaging. If you need help getting it
installed, contact your local fire department for assistance. They
MIGHT be able to help.
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DO
NOT REMOVE THE SMOKE DETECTOR OR BATTERIES FROM THE WALLS OR
CEILINGS.
-
When
in doubt, call a neighbor, a friend, the fire department or your
landlord for help maintaining or installing a smoke detector or
carbon monoxide detector.
To
many people “can’t stand the noise” and rip them off.
And
for the long term, consider getting a residential fire sprinkler.
According to statistics, the risk of death by fire is reduced by 82
percent (97 percent survival rate) when smoke detectors are
accompanied with residential fire sprinklers.
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Every