Early detection
is your best
protection!
Install smoke detectors and test them regularly!
SHOULD WE HAVE SMOKE
DETECTORS?
If you’re not certain maybe you share some of
the misconceptions that make Americans underestimate the danger of death from night-time
fires. For example:
Ø
THE SMELL OF SMOKE WOULD
WAKE ME – It might, if acrid smelling smoke were the only thing produced by
household fire. Unfortunately, many home fires smolder slowly for hours before
they burst into open flames. And while this incomplete combustion is taking
place, large quantities of toxic gases, including carbon monoxide, are
produced. Carbon monoxide is the same odorless, taste less and colorless gas
tat causes death when people breath automobile exhaust in a closed garage or because
of a leak in a car’s muffler. If you’re awake, you may feel a headache and
dizziness and possibly some nausea. If you’re asleep when the gas enters our
room, you probably will never wake up.
Ø
THERE IS USUALLY PLENTY
OF TIME TO GET OUT – Possibly, if you’re awake and if you have time to round up
your family and if none of them inhale too much smoke or carbon monoxide before
you woke up. The spread of toxic gases long before flames become visible and
noisy my not give you enough time to get out.
Ø
FIRES ONLY HAPPEN TO
OTHER PEOPLE – This is perhaps the most dangerous idea of all. And it’s
probably just what all those “OTHER PEOPLE” thought before their fire occurred.
Ø
WELL JUST HOW EFFECTIVE
ARE THEY? – They won’t prevent fires, they won’t put the fire out for you, but
they WILL increase your chances of getting, getting out, and call the fire
department.
Ø
HOW DO WE TAKE CARE OF
IT? – Smoke detector are tough, they don’t need much attention except for
regular testing and prompt replacement of batteries. But neglect theses few
requirements and your detector won’t be able to do its job if the critical
moment of a fire ever comes. AT LEAST TEST ONCE EVERY MONTH - test your smoke
detector at least once a month. REPLACE THE BATTERY EVERY SIX MONTHS – change
the battery every six months, the best way to remember to do this is when we
change time in the spring and fall of each year, change your clock and
batteries at the same time.
Ø
YOU SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST
ONE
Ø WHAT ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS? – YES, YES, YES, CO detectors are just as important as smoke detectors. The best ones are electric powered with a digital readout display. Just like smoke detectors, you should have a CO detector on each level of the home. Do not place them next to any source of CO like furnaces or hot water tanks.
For any other questions either call us at the station or e-mail us at firepreventionbureau@sharonfire.org.
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