Did you know this week is Fire Prevention Week?! In honor, here is a guest post from Firefighters’ Busy Day and Fraidy Brady Visits the Fire Station author, Maria Bostian.

This year, busy firefighters from fire departments across the globe celebrate the NFPA 102nd Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You!™” This year’s theme strives to educate community members about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.
While I wish it weren’t true, firefighters continue to witness fire injuries and deaths in residential properties. There is an alarming trend showing many of these incidents occur in properties with no smoke alarms and/or non-working smoke alarms present. “But why,” you may wonder.
Safety devices when property installed are often out of sight and reach of occupants. Depending on how and when they were installed, occupants may have a false sense of security given their mere presence and assume they are in proper working order. Coupled with that, many adults don’t fully understand the basics of fire behavior, the dangerous effects of smoke on the body, and the need for proper emergency planning.
So, let’s break that down info a few Fast Fire Facts:
- A small flame can turn into a big fire very quickly. Fire doubles in size every 30 seconds.
- Fire can fill an area with thick smoke and intense heat in which our lungs are not able to handle. Inhaling even a few breaths of smoke and heat can damage the windpipe, breathing passages or lungs causing injury or far worse. In addition, harmful byproducts of fire can cause dizziness and confusion and may lead to loss of consciousness.
- Modern homes and furniture burn faster than they did 30+ years ago due to the prevalence of synthetic materials. This leads to rapid fire growth and spread.
- WORKING smoke alarms save lives! Having early warning devices in place helps occupants get out before it’s too late.
- Know what to do when the smoke alarms sound. Get Out & Stay Out!
“Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You! ™” delivers three key calls to action: INSTALL, TEST, and REPLACE and encourages community education and interaction to learn more about smoke alarm basics, best fire safety practices, and the importance of having a planned escape in case the smoke alarms sound.
INSTALL: Install smoke alarms on the ceiling or high on a wall in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on each level of the home. You do not need to install a smoke alarm in the kitchen. Too many nuisance activations make this a less-than-ideal place for a smoke alarm.
Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory and physical disabilities.
For best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound.
TEST: Test your smoke alarms once a month by pushing the test button. For alarms out of reach, consider using a broom or mop handle to activate the test button.
In addition, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning to keep smoke alarms always working.
REPLACE: Replace all smoke alarms that are 10 years from the date of manufacture or those that have stopped responding when tested. You can find the manufacturer’s date on the back of the alarm.
Smoke alarms with non-replaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
For smoke alarms that do not have non-replaceable batteries, replace batteries at least once a year. If the alarm chirps, replace only the battery.
Follow This Up with These Next Steps: Continue focusing on your family’s safety by having a practiced escape plan that includes knowing two ways out of every room in the home and a designated meeting place where firefighters can find you. When the smoke alarms sound, go outside, and stay outside. Call 9-1-1 from a mobile phone or trusted neighbor’s phone. Key information to share includes (in this order): your emergency, location, and name.
So, how can you incorporate this year’s fire prevention theme into the lives of those around you? It’s simple. Pick your audience and use some of the many NFPA Fire Prevention Week resources to make sure you get the message just right. The NFPA makes it easy to share. Visit this link to review tip sheets, social media cards, coloring and activity sheets, and much, much more. There’s something for everyone!
These NFPA Fire Prevention Week resources are great for:
- Families
- Students
- Caregivers of Older Adults
- Teachers/School Administrators
- Scouting and Civic Organizations
- Public Safety Organizations
- Injury Prevention Coalitions
- Doctor’s Offices/Healthcare Facilities
- Residential Complexes
- Local Businesses
- Community Leaders
- Social Media Influencers, etc.
Do your loved ones know what to do when the smoke alarms sound? If so, share that with us and help show others how to take the appropriate steps to be “fire safe.” Ambassador International would love to saturate social media this Fire Prevention Week with snapshots of smoke alarm installation and/or testing, and pictures of escape plans and meeting places. Show us how your smoke alarms are working for YOU and your family!
Want more fire safety information. If so, two of my books, Firefighters’ Busy Day! and Fraidy Brady Visits the Fire Station would be great reads. I’m always available to be a resource, as well. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] and download a fun Fraidy Brady’s Fire Safety Word search HERE.
SOURCES:
National Fire Protection Association www.nfpa.org
US Fire Administration apps.usfa.fema.gov