Keeping your family safe by having a working smoke alarm in every bedroom is the message behind this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep.” The Department of Fire Services is joining forces with fire departments and safety advocates across the Commonwealth during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-10, to remind residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms in their homes, including their bedrooms, and testing them monthly.
According to the latest National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research, working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. In Massachusetts, over 20 percent of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
“In a fire, seconds count,” said State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan. “More than half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep; and one-quarter of all fatal fires in Massachusetts in 2014 began in the bedroom. Having smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.”
While smoke alarms are only required in bedrooms of newly constructed one- and two-family homes, it is a good recommendation for everyone, especially smokers and heavy sleepers. Smoke alarms are required outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign includes the following smoke alarm messages:
· Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
· Interconnect smoke alarms throughout your home. When one sounds, they all sound.
· Test alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
· Unless smoke alarms have a long life sealed battery, replace batteries twice a year when we change our clocks.
· Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or if they do not sound when tested.
· Have a practiced home escape plan and make sure everyone knows where the meeting place is.
· Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.
· When the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Go to your outside meeting place.
Fires in Massachusetts
No one thinks a fire will happen to them, yet according to data from the Massachusetts Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS), there were 28,697 fires reported in Massachusetts during 2014 causing 54 civilian deaths, 308 civilian injuries, 437 fire service injuries and an estimated $240 million in property damage.
Fire Prevention Week activities
In addition to visiting schools and senior centers through the Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) and Senior SAFE programs, fire departments across Massachusetts will be hosting activities during Fire Prevention Week to promote “Hear the Beep When You Sleep”. Through these educational, family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the importance of working smoke alarms and testing them monthly. Check with your local fire department or on the Department of Fire Services’ Fire Prevention Week webpage for more information (www.mass.gov/dfs then click on Fire Prevention Week).