Did you know that many people don’t test their smoke alarms as often as they should? Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. You need working smoke alarms to give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.
Facts About Home Fires
- According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2011, U.S. fire departments responded to 370,000 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,910 civilian injuries, 2,520 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct damage.
- On average, seven people died in U.S. home fires per day from 2007 to 2011.
- Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, followed by heating equipment.
- Smoking is the leading cause of civilian home fire deaths.
- Most fatal fires kill one or two people. In 2012, eight home fires killed five or more people resulting in a total of 44 deaths.
Smoke Alarms
- Almost three of five (60%) of reported home fire deaths throughout the U.S. from 2007 to 2011 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
- Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.
- In fires considered large enough to activate the smoke alarm, hardwired alarms operated 93% of the time, while battery powered alarms operated only 79% of the time.
- When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected, or dead.
- An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, or where extra time is needed, to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms, or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms are recommended.
Safety Tips
- Install smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home, including in the basement.
- Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
- It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
- Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
- A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least ten feet from the stove.
- People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are ten years old.
E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire & Safety, State Fire Marshal Richard Miller, and your local fire department remind you to plan ahead! If a fire breaks out in your home, you may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go including the location of the meeting place once outside.
October is National Fire Prevention Month. This year’s theme is “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives – Test Yours Every Month!”. From Fire Department Open Houses to events with a focus on fire prevention education, there are numerous opportunities for children and families to attend one of the following events and learn about fire safety and injury prevention close to Where You Live.
(Please note: event dates and times may be subject to change. Please check with your local fire department for more details)
Allegan County
Dorr Township Fire Department
4th Annual Dorr Twp. Fire Dept. Pancake Breakfast and Open House
4196 18th Street
Dorr, MI 49323
Saturday October 11, 2014
7 – 11 a.m.
- Serving: Pancakes, eggs, sausage, hash browns, beverages.
- Donations accepted with some of the proceeds going to start a scholarship program for High School Seniors entering Fire Science or EMS.
- Games and prizes, along with face painting for kids
- Also there will be a silent auction
Otsego Fire Department
Home Depot Safety Day
1227 M-89
Plainwell, MI 49080
Saturday October 11, 2014
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Plainwell Department of Public Safety
Fire Prevention Week Open House
Public Safety Building
119 Island Avenue
Plainwell, MI 49080
Saturday October 4, 2014
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Building Tours
- Fire Prevention Information
- Jr. Firefighter Combat Challenge
- Allegan County Smoke House for Kids
- Smoke Alarm Information
- Red Cross Van with Safety Information
- Hot Dogs from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Wayland Fire Department
Fire Prevention Week Open House
160 West Superior Street
Wayland, MI 49348
Wednesday October 8, 2014
6 – 8 p.m.
Any questions feel free to call (269) 792-6300
- Free refreshments and cookies will be provided
Kalamazoo County
11th Annual Family Fire Safety Day
Lowe’s of Portage
Portage Department of Public Safety – Fire Division
E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety / WOOD TV 8 – WOTV 4
5108 South Westnedge Avenue
Portage, MI 49002
Saturday October 25, 2014
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Meet WOOD TV8’s Bill Steffen and Jake the Fire Safety Dog. Free nine volt batteries and smoke alarms will be available (while supplies last). The E.S.C.A.P.E. Smoke Demonstration trailer will teach families how to be safe from fire. Free fire extinguisher demonstration. Tour the Portage Public Safety Fire Engine, Life EMS Ambulance and learn about smoke alarms from Safe Kids of Kalamazoo County. Free games and prizes for those who know the correct answers to the safety questions presented throughout the day. Halloween costume contest begins at 11 a.m. with prizes.
Comstock Township Fire & Rescue
Fire Department Open House
Central Station #1
1960 River Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Saturday October 11, 2014
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Meet the firefighters, learn about a fire truck, auto extrication demonstration will begin at 1 p.m., use a thermal imaging camera, visit with Sparky™ and Friends, enjoy refreshments and win door prizes.
Portage Department of Public Safety – Fire Division
Fire Prevention Week Open House
Station #1 – 7800 Shaver Road
Portage, MI 49024
Saturday October 11, 2014
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Richland Township Fire Department
Fire Prevention Week Open House
7401 North 32nd Street
Richland, MI 49083
Saturday October 11, 2014
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Kent County
Grandville Fire Department
Annual Open House
3215 Wilson Avenue
Grandville, MI 49418
Tuesday October 7, 2014
6 – 8 p.m.
For more information, please contact the fire station at (616) 530-6211
- Learn fire safety, see a police car, fire truck and an ambulance!
- Enjoy cookies, popcorn, and drinks!
- Meet Sparky™ The Fire Dog, Firefighters, Police Officers, and Paramedics!
- Learn CPR! Save a Life!
John Ball Zoo Goes Boo
E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety / Grand Rapids Fire Department
1300 West Fulton
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
Friday October 17, 2014
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Walker Fire Department
Fire Prevention Open House
4101 Lake Michigan Drive NW
Walker, MI 49534
Monday October 6, 2014
6 – 8 p.m.
- Activities will include tours of the fire station and apparatus. Home fire safety information and packets will be distributed to attendees. There will be free smoke alarms available for those who visit with an emphasis on Walker firefighters installing them for Walker residents.
Muskegon County
Dalton Township Fire Department
1650 E. Riley Thompson
Muskegon, MI49445
For more information, call (231) 766-3277
Wednesday October 8, 2014
6 – 8 p.m.
Muskegon Fire Department
Fire Prevention Week Open House
Central Station – 770 Terrace Street (next to Hot Rod Harley)
Muskegon, MI 49440
Sunday September 28, 2014
2 – 4 p.m.
The Muskegon Fire Department would like to cordially invite you and your family to our annual Fire Prevention Open House. Anticipated activities include:
- Jaws of Life demonstrations
- Tours of Central Station
- Displays of all Fire Department apparatus
- Working hose lines for the kids
- The Fire Prevention Theatre
- Hazardous Materials Team will be showing off their equipment
- Free Food and Refreshments
- Fun for kids of all ages!
- A glimpse into the daily life of a Firefighter in Muskegon
Ottawa County
Georgetown Township Fire Department
Fire Prevention Open House
Fire Station #1
Corner of 14th Avenue & 44th Street
Georgetown Charter Township
Thursday October 2, 2014
6 – 8 p.m.
The 12th Annual New Jersey Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Conference will be held at the Middlesex County Fire Academy December 4 – 5, 2014.
This year’s theme is: “Social Media: Spreading Information at the Speed of Fire.
For Fire Service, Mental Health, Law Enforcement, Social Service, and Educational Professionals
Please select the following link for the Conference Flyer which includes a list of the speakers and their presentations as well as the pre-registration requirements and payment of $100:
To register, please select the following link:
http://www.keanfiresafety.com/conferences-2/juvenile-firesetter-registration-form-2014/
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Be Disaster Aware, Take Action To Prepare
Emergencies can happen at any time. Does your family know how to get in touch with each other if you are not all together?
Before an emergency happens, have a family discussion to determine who would be your out-of-state point of contact, and where you would meet away from your home – both in the neighborhood and within your town.
Let them know you are OK
Pick the same person for each family member to contact. It might be easier to reach someone who’s out of town.
Text, don’t talk!
Unless you are in danger, send a text. Text messages may have an easier time getting through than phone calls, and you don’t want to tie up phone lines needed by emergency workers.
For more information and to download and complete a Family Communication Plan, visit http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/0e3ef555f66e22ab832e284f826c2e9e/FEMA_plan_parent_508_071513.pdf
September is National Preparedness Month
More than 3,400 Americans die each year across the country in fires and approximately 17,500 are injured. An overwhelming number of these fires occur in the home. There are time-tested ways to prevent and survive a fire. It’s not a question of luck. It’s a matter of planning ahead.
In the event of a home fire, every second counts. September is National Preparedness Month and the United States Fire Administration and E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire & Safety offer these tips to keep you and your family safe.
Have Two Ways Out
- Plan and practice home fire drills as a family.
- Draw a map of each level of your home showing all doors and windows.
- Discuss the map with everyone who lives with you.
- Practice your home fire drills at least twice a year.
- Make sure all doors and windows that lead outside open easily.
- Push the smoke alarm button to start the fire drill.
- Try feeling your way in the dark or with your eyes closed.
- Have at least two ways out of every room. If your first way out is blocked by fire or smoke, you can use your second way out.
- If there is smoke, get low and go. Crawl quickly under the smoke to your nearest exit.
- Close doors behind you and gather at a preplanned outside meeting place where firefighters and first responders can see you.
- Remember to Get Out and Stay Out.
- Never go back inside for people, pets or things.
Finally, keep your escape plan posted on the refrigerator so everyone in your home, including guests, know what to do and where to go during fire or smoke conditions. Taking a few minutes now to be prepared might mean the difference between life or death for you and your family Where You Live!