Most home fires that involve a fatality normally occur at night when people are sleeping. Contrary to popular belief, the smell of smoke may not wake sleeping person. Smoke and poisonous gases resulting from fire tend to numb the senses, putting victims into a deeper sleep. Smoke detectors sound an alarm, alerting those who are sleeping to fire. By providing time to escape, smoke detectors cut the risk of dying in home fires by half. Most new homes have smoke detectors installed. The Gloucester Fire Departement urges all owners of older homes to install them as well. Smoke detectors should be placed outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Install detectors in or near living areas, such as dens, living rooms, dinning rooms or family rooms. Detectors are not recommended for kitchens, bathrooms, or garages--where cooking fumes, steam, or exhaust could set off false alarms. Hardware and home supply stores are the best places to purchase smoke detectors. Most detectors can be installed using only a drill and screwdriver. It is imperative that smoke detectors be maintained. Batteries should be changed at least once a year and should never be taken out of the detector for another use. Cleaning is also important. Dust and cobwebs can reduce a detectors's sensitivity to smoke.
Working Smoke Detectors Save Lives!
In a home fire, poisonous smoke and gases spread far ahead of the
flames. The poisonous gases can quickly overcome a person trying
to escape. The majority of fire deaths occur at night when people
are asleep. Fire gases deaden the sense of smell and can keep a
sleeping person from ever waking up, causing death long before
the arrival of any flames.
Protect yourself and your loved ones!
During a fire, there is no time to waste. A working smoke
detector, properly installed, will double your chances of
survival during a home fire. A smoke detector will give you the
time you need to get out alive.
Smoke Detector Placement
A smoke detector should be installed on every level of your home.
Place smoke detectors outside of sleeping areas. If you sleep
with bedroom doors closed as is recommended, you should place a
smoke detector inside each bedroom. Detectors should be placed on
the ceiling at least 8 inches from any walls, or high on a wall,
8-12 inches from the ceiling. If your home has vaulted ceilings,
place detectors near the highest point of the ceiling.
Test Detectors Monthly Be sure you are protected!
Test your smoke detectors once each month. Make sure children
recognize the sound of the alarm and know what to do. Press the
test button on the detector and listen for the alarm, use a
broomstick to reach detectors on high ceilings.
Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries
Change the batteries in your smoke detectors when you adjust your
clocks for Daylight Savings Time in the Spring, and again in the
Fall when we return to Standard time. Never borrow the batteries
from your smoke detector for other uses. }
