Fire Prevention and Education

Working Smoke Detectors Save Lives

TEST MONTHLY!

Although 13 of every 14 homes have at least one smoke detector, almost half of home fires and three-fifths of fire deaths occur in the share of homes with no detectors. Thousands of people still die each year in home fires where smoke detectors aren't present.

In addition, there are now more homes with smoke detectors that don't work than homes without detectors at all. These poorly maintained units create a false sense of security among occupants. Approximately one-third of homes with smoke detectors that experience fires have smoke detectors that aren't working, and hundreds of people die each year in these fires. Having a working smoke detector cuts your chance of dying nearly in half if you have a home fire. By properly placing, regularly testing and maintaining your detectors, you can ensure that they are in fact working and will alert you if a fire breaks out.

Make Placement a Priority

A recent report on smoke detectors found that there is a substantial number of households that do not have the devices on every level of the home, as needed. The majority of fire deaths occur at night when people are asleep. Smoke detectors should be on every level of the home -- including the basement -- and outside each sleeping area.

To slow the spread of smoke and fumes if a fire develops, NFPA suggests that you sleep with your bedroom doors closed. If you sleep with your bedroom doors closed, install a smoke detector inside each bedroom. Detectors should also be installed in other areas of your home where people sleep. On floors without bedrooms, smoke detectors should be installed in or near living areas, such as family rooms and living rooms.

"Test Your Detectors!" "Let's Hear it for Fire Safety":

Since smoke and deadly gases rise, detectors should be placed on the ceiling at least 4 inches from the nearest wall, or high on a wall, 4-12 inches from the ceiling. This 4-inch minimum is important to keep detectors out of possible "dead air" spaces, because hot air is turbulent and may bounce so much it misses spots near a surface. Installing detectors near a window, door or fireplace is not recommended because drafts could detour smoke away from the unit. In rooms where the ceiling has an extremely high point, such as in vaulted ceilings, mount the detector at or near the ceiling's highest point.

Maintenance is a Must

What good are smoke detectors that don't work? No good at all! That's why it is imperative that you keep your smoke detectors fit and in good shape. It's easy. Maintain your smoke detectors by:

Testing-- detectors should be tested once a month to make sure they are operating. A working smoke detector greatly reduces your chances of dying in a home fire. Testing is the only way to ensure they are working to protect you. Test each detector by pushing the test button and listening for the alarm. If you can't reach the detector, stand under the detector and push the test button with a broom handle.

Replacing Batteries--If your smoke detectors are battery operated, replace their batteries at least once a year or when the detector chirps, alerting you that the battery power is low. Replace the batteries immediately if you move into a new home. Make sure no one disables your smoke detectors by borrowing batteries for other uses. Everyone you live with should understand how critical it is to have working smoke detectors.

Cleaning--Just as you clean your home, your smoke detectors need to be cleaned. Make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions about cleaning. Cobwebs and dust usually can be removed with a vacuum cleaner attachment. If you are going to be doing work nearby that could send dust in the air, cover the detector with a shield. Also, shield the detector if you are painting around it, and never paint on it. Remove the shield promptly after work is completed.

Now that you know the importance of installing and maintaining smoke detectors in your home, "Let's Hear it for Fire Safety: Test Your Detectors!"

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN OPERATIONAL SMOKE DETECTOR IN YOUR HOME THE WAKE-NEW HOPE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE ONE FREE OF CHARGE IF YOU LIVE IN OUR RESPONSE AREA!  PLEASE CONTACT US FOR ASSISTANCE.

WHAT TO DO

The First 24 Hours After a Fire

Securing Yourself and The Site

There are several immediate needs to meet:

• temporary housing
• food
• medicine
• eyeglasses
• clothing
• other essential items
• Contact your insurance agent/company

Cautions

• Do not enter the damaged site. Fires can rekindle from hidden, smoldering remains.
• Normally, the fire department will see that utilities (water, electricity and natural gas) are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site.
• Do not attempt to turn on utilities yourself.

• Be watchful for structural damage caused by the fire. Roofs and floors may be damaged and subject to collapse.

• Food, beverages and medicine exposed to heat, smoke, soot and water should not be consumed.

Leaving Your Home

• Contact your local police departments to let them know the site will be unoccupied.
• In some cases it may be necessary to board up openings to discourage trespassers.
• Beginning immediately, save receipts for any money you spend. These receipts are important in showing the insurance company what money you have spent related to your fire loss and also for verifying losses claimed on your income tax.

If it is safe to do so, try to locate the following items:

• identification, such as driver’s licenses and Social Security cards
• insurance information
• medication information
• eyeglasses, hearing aids or other prosthetic devices
• valuables, such as credit cards, bank books, cash and jewelry

There are many people/entities that should be notified of your relocation, including:

• your insurance agent/company
• your mortgage company (also inform them of the fire)
• your family and friends
• your employer
• your child’s school
• your post office
• any delivery services
• your utility companies

Replacement Of Valuable Documents And Records

Here’s a checklist of some documents you will need to replace if they have been destroyed.

Driver’s license, Auto registration

Bank books (checking, savings, etc.)

Insurance policies

Military discharge papers

Passports

Birth, death and marriage certificates

Divorce papers

Social Security or Medicare cards

Credit cards

Titles to deeds

Stocks and bonds

Wills

Medical records

Warranties

Income tax records

Citizenship papers

Prepaid burial contract

Animal registration papers

Mortgage papers

A WORD ABOUT FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS

Common Questions

Q. Why are windows broken or holes cut in the roof?

As a fire burns, it moves upward then outward. Breaking the windows and/or cutting holes in the roof (called ventilation) slows the damaging outward movement, helps remove blinding smoke that obscures the actual fire, and enables firefighters to fight the fire more efficiently. The result of this action is less damage to the structure in the long run.

Q. Why are holes cut in walls?

This is done so that the fire department is absolutely sure that the fire is completely out, and that there is no fire inside the walls or other hidden places.

Q. Is it possible to obtain a copy of the fire report?

A fire report is a public document and is available at the fire department or fire marshal’s office

EMERGENCY AND NON-EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Please fill this area in with your local phone numbers and keep copies at locations other than your home.

Emergency_____________________________________

Poison Control__________________________________

Doctors________________________________________

Insurance Company______________________________

• medical policy number_________________________
• home policy number___________________________
• auto policy number____________________________

Gas/Fuel Company_______________________________

Municipality_____________________________________

Banks_________________________________________

Neighbors______________________________________

Accountant_____________________________________

Family_________________________________________

Pharmacy______________________________________

Work Numbers__________________________________

Other__________________________________________