JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Joint Base Andrews Fire Department will host Fire Prevention Week Oct.5 -11, 2014, to raise awareness on a critical safety tool; fire alarms.
This year, in hopes to better educate the public about the true value of working smoke detectors, the slogan for Fire Prevention Week is 'Working smoke alarms save lives, test yours every month!'
"Working smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a home fire," said Timothy Pitman, 11th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department chief. "According to the NFPA, smoke alarms can cut the chance of dying in a home fire in half. Additionally, the data also shows that home fires killed more than 2,300 people in 2012. Many of these deaths could have been prevented with the proper smoke alarm protection."
Pitman pointed out that smoke alarms have become such a common household feature that they are often taken for granted. They aren't tested or maintained as they should be. Many people may not even remember that they have these life-saving devices.
"Fire Prevention Week is the time we set aside every year to promote safety and fire awareness in a controlled environment," said Staff Sgt. Clinton Oliver, 11th CES Fire Prevention Office inspector. "The little things that are often overlooked can be the difference between life and death. By reinforcing concepts like changing smoke detector batteries, having evacuation meeting points and teaching children how to call emergency services; we are providing tools the public can use to practice fire prevention and potentially save lives."
Here are additional smoke alarm tips to follow:
·Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including 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 year old or sooner if they do not respond properly.
·Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound and understands what to do when they hear the smoke alarm.
Col. Daniel Waters, 11th Wing vice commander, signed the Fire Week Prevention proclamation, officially declaring Oct.5-11 as JBA's Fire Prevention Week.
In support of these efforts, Joint Base Andrews Fire Emergency Services will be hosting local campaign activities throughout the week including a fire truck parade on Oct.5, live fire demo and auto extrication on Oct.8, and Fire Department open house Oct. 11.
To learn more about the "Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month!" campaign, visit NFPA's Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org.