Reminder to check smoke detectors, change batteries
Brian Schaeffer, Assistant Fire Chief, 509.625.7002
Friday, October 2, 2015 at 8:57 a.m.
The Spokane Fire Department invites you to participate in National Fire Prevention Week October 4-10 by making sure you have enough smoke alarms for the size of your home and the needs of your family members.
The theme this year, "Hear the Beep where you Sleep," is important because most deadly home fires occur between 11 pm and 7 am. Every bedroom should be protected by a working smoke alarm.
Install at least one smoke alarm on each level of the home, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom. Check the back label on your alarms for the date of manufacture to make sure they are not more than 10 years old.
Look for the words "ionization" or "photoelectric" on the back labels. Have at least one photoelectric alarm on each level of the home because it can detect a smoldering fire up to 40 minutes faster than an ionization smoke alarm.
If your ionization detector gives false alarms when you cook, replace it with a photoelectric model or move the ionization alarm at least 20 feet away from the stove.
Statistically, there will be at least 2,500 persons who will die this year in a home fire. Three out of every five of these fatalities will happen in a household that is not protected with a working smoke alarm.
Smoke alarms cut in half your chance of dying in a fire. Photoelectric smoke alarms with 10-year batteries and "hush buttons" to discourage false alarms can be purchased for less than $20.
If you have questions or concerns about smoke alarms, check with your local fire station or call Spokane Fire Department at 509.625.7058.
