Fire Prevention week 2015 to focus on smoke alarms

  • Published
  • By Ali Veysel Ozyesil
  • Incirlik Air Base Fire Prevention assistant chief
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  If asked where your smoke alarms are located in your home, would you know?

Many people do not pay much attention to where smoke alarms have been installed. However, location and placement of smoke alarms is crucial when it comes to installing them into one's home.

Smoke alarms should be installed inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, to include basements.

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 National Fire Protection Association, smoke alarms can cut the chance of dying in a home fire in half and data shows that home fires killed 2,755 people in 2013, an average of eight people every day that year. Many of these deaths perhaps could have been prevented with the proper early detection protection.

As a member of the fire service for years, I've seen the devastating effects of fire first-hand; the burn injuries, the loss of homes and possessions are distressing. What's even worse is witnessing a family's anguish after a loved one has been killed in a fire, it's heartbreaking.

As the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week, NFPA is promoting "Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!" to better educate the public about the true value of working smoke alarms in the bedroom. The week will be observed Oct. 4-10, 2015 and the Incirlik Fire Department will be hosting local campaign activities throughout the week in support of this year's national campaign.

Incirlik residents are encouraged to participate in one or more Fire Prevention Week activities, and to make ensure there are working smoke alarms installed throughout their homes.

Listed below are simple steps everyone can take to help make a life-saving difference, and prevent the potentially life-threatening impact of fire:

· Install a smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, to include the basement.

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

· Test alarms each month by pushing the test button.

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

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

If the smoke alarm sounds, people should go outside to a designated outside meeting place and call the first department; and remain outside until emergency personnel arrive. Individuals are not encouraged to return into their residence until deem appropriate by emergency personnel.

To learn more about the 'Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month!' campaign, visit NFPA's Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org and www.sparky.org/fpw.